Black Lives Matter Demonstrations Continue In Warsaw
Black Lives Matter Demonstrations Continue In Warsaw
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Amanda Bridgman-abridgman@timesuniononline.com
Black Lives Matter Demonstrations Continue In WarsawThe fourth Black Lives Matter demonstration drew more than 50 people to the lawn Thursday where more dialogue about racism continued.
“The reason we’re here today is to uplift and listen,” organizer Maria Medina said. “That’s the point of today.”
Co-organizer Ofelia Rios said she thought the protests may have been coming to an end, but “over the weekend, something else happened. In Atlanta another black man was killed. ... In California, black men are being lynched. Apparently, it’s more than police brutality. It’s racism. If you speak out, now you’re gonna get killed? We have to unlearn racism,” she said. “That’s why we’re here again. Because I’m not gonna shut up till y’all realize black lives matter.”
“People keep asking why we’re doing this,” Medina said. “Just because people aren’t being murdered here doesn’t mean racism doesn’t exist here.”
Medina said she’s getting messages on her social media account from people calling her derogatory names and saying she’s bringing riots to Warsaw.
“And I’m like, ‘What riots?’” Medina said.
During the two-hour demonstration, a white couple on a high-performance motorcycle circled the courthouse and revved the engine loudly. The crowd responded by stopping conversations and starting to chant “black lives matter!”
The couple’s jig was up soon enough though, as they were promptly pulled over by police. If the driver was cited or for what is not known at this time.
“My thick skin has come from centuries of hate,” Medina said. “White supremacy tried to erase black and brown history.”
Kayla Rhode shared a story about her 7-year-old daughter who would get called racist names at Rochester Community Schools.
“I don’t blame the kids,” Rhode said. “It’s the parents for teaching racism.”
Played for the crowd was the poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou, and more stories were shared about how the dialogue between people of all races needs to not just focus on the topics currently in the news but the everyday, little conversations. For example, several people said Thursday, if you’re white, it’s not OK to tell your black friend how many black friends you have. Why are you counting?
Walter Johnson, a black man, said when he sees the diversity in the people who attend these demonstrations, he thinks he’s dreaming. Johnson spoke about the importance of voting, following the Lord and also helping people who you see suffering.
“Whenever you see someone being mistreated, love that person, help that person,” Johnson said. “Some people will say, ‘Well, they’re gay and I don’t agree with that.’ I didn’t say you have to agree with them, but God says to love thy neighbor.”
“Unless you’re black, you will never understand the struggle,” Medina said. “But you can be willing to listen. ... This momentum cannot die down. Our job is to uplift and listen. Put your energy, your passion to work in your community.”
Deante Bland, a black man who works at the Bowen Center, spoke Thursday and said, “Some equality is not equality. We don’t settle for some. We don’t go to a business and get half a hair cut and say that’s good.”
He encouraged the community to continue to meet.
“This is a movement, not a moment, and we need to keep going,” he said.
The group again laid down for 9 minutes on the ground to represent the 9 minutes former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on George Floyd’s neck, killing him.
Organizers thanked attendees for keeping the fourth demonstration once again peaceful and reminded everyone of the ONE Warsaw Juneteenth prayer vigil happening from 8 to 9 p.m. today at the courthouse lawn.
