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Vigil brown people in this country to ensure that travesties such as what happened not only in the case in the case of Trayvon Martin… the people are gathered here today to ensure this travesty isn’t repeated.” Our nation’s laws should not “allow people to take the law into their own hands and claim self-defense,” the pastor said, and he continued with a more positive message about the cultural divide. “We must encourage people to have relationships between races. When you don’t see people of color and the only images of people of color you see are on the news or a sitcom, then naturally you’re going to live in fear. “ By the time speeches began the crowd had grown to more than 200 people comprised of a rainbow of citizenry and causes. Propelled by events from Sanford, Florida to proliferation of Stand Your Ground Laws in 19 states, the event was attended by Central New Yorkers focused on the death of Trayvon Martin and the verdict in the George Zimmerman case. Organized by the National Action Network led by Al Sharpton, the Justice for Trayvon 100 City Vigil is now focusing on citizen-inspired action to change Stand Your Ground Laws that remain in place in 19 states. Voting rights, electoral erosion caused by the Supreme Court and local police citizen relationships was on the minds of many in the crowd as they cheered each speaker. A particularly emotional moment occurred when Mother’s Against Gun Violence leader and Syracuse Common Councilor Helen Hudson invited all those in attendance who’d lost a child to gun violence to come forward. Hudson was joined by six women who represented a fraction of those victims of black-on-black crime. Many have stated that the black community remains silent on this issue, but the
August 2013
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From page 1
The need for ‘vetting’ By Ken Jackson
Rev. Agee speaks with the press about the march and issues that impact the community. Syracuse protest paid special attention to the problem. These are the images conservative news outlets like Fox News doesn’t show. Not only was the George Zimmerman verdict discussed, but local issues such as jail conditions were on the table. This was an orderly presentation of grievances along with participation of black and white, youth and older people, families, children, retired hippies, concerned citizens representing themselves and folks from the LBTG community. Capturing the frustration and
anger were signs supplied by Socialists declaring, “The System is racist.” A Syracusan visiting from Florida -Les Rivikin -- held his home-made sign proclaiming “I am Trayvon.” Rivikin is concerned about6 future generations. “This is for my grandkids,” he said. “I participated in the marches in West Palm Beach, Florida where I now live.” He emphasized his pride in his grandchildren because they were of different races. This could be a turning point in our national discussion on race. The discussion will continue on August 24, the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Bus trips from across the country are being planned as I type. The last time there was this much chatter within the black community was when a man from Chicago had a notion that he could gather One Million Men in a massive gathering in Washington D.C. LEFT: Graphic for the local march. BELOW: Protestors pause for prayer before starting speeches
In my studies of the history of the civil rights movement, I’ve been amazed at how activists managed to endure so much abuse directed at them by those who hated them. They endured by displaying Christian love at the protest marches. They weren’t shouting about white people. King used the words of the Constitution to turn a mirror on America: “Somewhere I read about the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.” Every speech during that time was vetted (reviewed by organizers to insure continuity of message) so that they were all on the same page. If the ideas were clearly articulated, no one could destroy their messages. Behind the scenes battles raged over what would or would not be included in a major protest event or speech. Everyone was seemingly on message when from the podium we heard shouts of “Black Power, Black Power, Black Power.” All of a sudden a well-directed march went terribly off script. “All of you who’ve moved to the suburbs to be away...” Oh, no! It’s the“those of you who moved, you’re part of the problem”- syndrome. The speaker went on to chastise blacks who’d moved to the suburbs. The tone was angry; suddenly the peaceful ambiance was shattered with what tends to divide us – Race. No one wants to be chastised for where they’ve chosen to live. The most notable civil rights protests in history had one thing in common. They were not focused on anger or even race. It was conditions that John Lewis, Jessie Jackson and others protested. All speeches were vetted. This assured that a march or an organized protest didn’t turn into a mess. One speaker apparently hadn’t read much King. If he had, he would have known, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “No one wins in a dog fight.”