I am saddened by the recent events and the inaction of elected leaders.
I want to reiterate we organized the right way: 1) we listed clear and actionable demands 2) we met with the Chief of Staff and asked for the Mayor to take action in order to address concerns -we received no response 3) we reached out to the Italian community 4) we continued to organize peacefully by hosting a rally. The rally on 7.02.20 was a memorial for George Floyd. There was a speaker schedule, seating, masks, and required social distancing.
At the rally, a group (RPMC) used their bikes to drowns at speakers' voices, used racial slurs, and chanted all lives matter. I will note that others took part in communicating in a milder tone with the ralliers. These bikers, though they have a 1st amendment right, made many feel intimidated. Organizers of the rally made a real effort to deescalate the situation immediately. We were not there to destruct but construct a dialogue within our own causes many feet away from the statue on the steps of city hall. Nonetheless, what started peacefully, ended peacefully. I thank the organizers for that. Still no response from city leaders, despite this tense encounter.
After all this, the statue was destroyed. This saddens me because it changes the narrative against communities of color demanding for change. I'm frustrated that we called for change the right way yet this narrative was the end result. The administration ignored us, it is that simple. There was an opportunity to prevent escalation through dialogue and responsiveness. It was ignored. Once again, this petition does not in any form condone such destruction and was an effort to organize the "right" way. This IS the narrative you won't read about. This city is our home after all.
We want multiculturalism. We want unity. We want to respect all histories. We want to move forward.
I urge the elected leaders to reflect on our petition and demands again as some remain actionable and will heal wounds of all communities. We can still have educational events, dialogue, and Indigenous Peoples day.
A similar letter has been emailed to the Mayor's office. Continued updates will be offered as transparency is important.
Note: Continue to share the petition. Continue to share your own perspectives. As far as other actions, we will be waiting to see future developments. Other plans are halting until further notice.
Photo Credit: Jim Shannon of the Rep Am
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