Continued Silence From the City & Closing in On 1000 Signs

Hello Everyone, 

Tomorrow will officially be a week since this petition went online in 6 days we are nearing 1000 signatures through grassroots pushes alone.

I want sincerely to thank each and every one of you in your effort to share and bring attention to this. Yet, it saddens me that we still have not received a response from the Mayor. In yesterday's meeting,we had 1 simple and direct request--Mayor O'Leary owed a direct response to the hundreds of individuals who signed this petition. We made it known and clear what our demands were through this petition, took time to meet with the Mayor's Chief of Staff to ensure reception of our message, and shared our perspectives through calls and emails. Yet silence.

Again, our one request yesterday was that the Mayor acknowledge the voices calling for the removal of the statue. Though I hold a deep respect for the city's elected leaders, I am gravely disappointed that our one ask was not met. Respect the voices of petitioners and respond to them.

The city can not argue it wants to heal the wounds of systemic racism if the removal of a man who championed slavery, white superiority, and genocide poses an uphill battle. Even when nearly 1000 voices are calling for change.

But we can not stop. We need to continue to organize. A collective voice is the most powerful voice and if it goes ignored it will lessen the trust people have in this city and its administrators. 

Notes 6.24.20

• Linked is an Op-Ed I wrote for the Hartford Courant describing my own perspective on why the Columbus statue prevents Waterbury from evolving with the times.
• Your feedback is always valuable please reach out to provide it. You can comment under updates, these comments are checked regularly and taken seriously.
• Please continue to call the Mayor's office (203)-574-6712 to share your unique perspective
• Continue to contact the media and ask them to report on this effort. Feel free to share your own perspective as well.
  • Rep-Am Newsroom: 203-574-3636 ext. 1400   communitynews@rep-am.com
  • WTNH-8 Waterbury Newsroom: 203-627-5911
  • WFSB 3 (Eyewitness News)  860-728-3333 or  - 860-2441700 newsdesk3@wfsb.com

Let Us Keep This Momentum

Sincerely,

F