Thousands turned out at yesterday’s Black Lives Matter March, and it was a beautiful, powerful, peaceful demonstration of solidarity within our city and community. As we marched, we spoke with attendees to find out why it was important for them to be there, and what they’re hopeful for in the future.
Here they are, in their own words.
Jasmine, Mary, and Emma
Jasmine: “I have two children, so by the time they get to this age, maybe it can be more equal for them. They’re biracial - they’re black and white - and it’s important to me because I feel like if I’m silent about one person’s death, I hope no one would be silent about mine or my children’s.
“I hope that more people…instead of sitting back and being silent about a matter…any matter…that everybody can stand up for what’s right, regardless of whether it affects them or not. Injustice to one is injustice to us all.”
Mary: “I’m here to let everybody know that we’re all here for one cause, and one thing only, and that’s love. And that we’re all equal, and we should all be treated equally. I hope that this is the start of something bigger and better, and that we can finally all just become one.”
Emma: “I’m here to be a voice in an area where certain people don’t have a voice, to really amplify the platform of unity and acceptance, and to really come together in a time when everyone is so divided. My hope is that this puts an end to complacency and increases accountability.”
Lee Braggs
Lee: “Seeing what I’m seeing now - with everybody coming together - is a tremendous step forward considering what we’ve gone through. Lately it seems like we’ve been taking one step forward and twenty steps backwards, so it’s a pleasure to see this. And it’s nice to see the young people! I’ve been doing this for years and years and years, but for me to take a step back and allow the young people to do it - that does my heart well. I love it.
“My hope for the future is that we as people, we as people of the human race, can all come together without regards to race, creed, or color, and just be one big happy family.”
Robin and her daughter, Sharika
Robin: “Today, to me, is a beginning. It’s a beginning to make real radical change for racial justice, for equality, for everything that matters, including black lives. I feel hopeful for the future. I have my daughter here with me, and I feel like we are moving confidently forward to a better tomorrow.”
Beth and her family
Beth: “I think enough is enough. We have to do something at this point. Sitting at home is just consent. We don’t agree with what’s going on and we don’t want any more terrible things to happen to innocent people. My hope for the future is to stop systemic racism, because this is a system problem as much as it is a personal bias problem, so we’ll just keep working towards that goal.
“Children have the right to not grow up in fear. I’ve heard a lot of stories from friends - that they’re worried about their children’s future - and that’s sad. So I’m here and I’m working to help those families and allow their children to have wonderful opportunities like every American should.”
Darrell and Denise Perkins
Denise: “The most important thing is that we’re all coming together for a common cause - to make a change. That’s the most important thing to me, because it means we all realize that there’s a problem that needs to be solved. So we’re all out here collectively, in one voice, making one sound for change. That’s a beautiful thing for me, especially because I’m the mother of a gentle giant, and every time I see George, I see my son.
“My hope is that there will be a lasting change and that they realize that we are not out to hurt anybody. As African Americans, we’re not looking for special treatment. We just want to be treated like everybody else. That’s it. We want them to look upon us and just see a human, not a person of color. And that’s the change that we want - just to be treated equally.”
Steven and friend
Steven: “To me, today means unity and coming together. I hope that we can learn from this, continue to make changes, continue to do more policy reform, and just listen and learn from everyone that is speaking.”
Michael Plank
Michael: “Today, for me, is about showing solidarity and about demonstrating the truth that we’re a community with one another and if one part of the community is hurting, we’re all hurting. I think this is a really painful time, but I’m really hopeful that pain is being illuminated in a new way that can help us move forward.”
Alex, Violet, and Desiree
Desiree: “Today means a lot to me. There are many people who have suffered injustice and we’re here to help fight for them, and to teach this little one a bit. There’s a lot we need to do and there’s a lot we need to work for, and I think as white people that we can support it and we can stand up for that.
“I’d like to see a lot more peace, a lot more justice - hopefully people are held accountable. Accountability is huge and as we’ve seen, a lot of that slips through the cracks. Being able to get things on video really helps. It’s unfortunate that that’s the way it has to go, but people being able to see it, as hard as it is to watch, is how we’re able to hold these people accountable and make change.”
Anonymous: “My husband is a person of color. I felt like I needed to come out because if the police murdered my husband, I would be outraged and I would take to the streets. I’m very happy with the turnout. I didn’t think that people would be this outraged in this area, because the minority population is very small. I’m comfortable with what the outrage would be if it were my husband that died, which is a difficult sentence in itself.”
Katie, Melissa, and Meaghan, on their way home from the event
Meaghan: “Today means a lot about community. I’m feeling very hopeful about the future and for a better future for our kids. I think this next generation is going to lead the real change.”
Melissa: “Today means using our voices for good, and not staying silent. I agree with Meaghan - I do believe the next generation is going to lead change. They were teaching us the chants before the march, and one of them was “This is the future”. That just felt so good. I got chills.”
Katie: “We’re here taking action and showing by example to our children that all lives don’t matter until Black Lives Matter. I was really touched by the outpouring of people here today and it makes me really hopeful that our community is headed in the right direction.”
This city. This day. So much love and so much hope for the future.
P.S. Huge thanks to the event organizers, Glens Falls Police Department, Warren County Sheriffs, NYS Police, all particiapting surrounding departments, and the City of Glens Falls for coming together to allow our community the opportunity to speak out peacefully and safely. Well done! Thank You!