Peaceful protest in Glens Falls for racial justice draws 2,300

GLENS FALLS — An estimated 2,300 people participated in a rally and march June 5 for racial justice, and it was likely the largest event of its kind in a generation or more. The event, organized by a local contingent of Black Lives Matter, memorialized George Floyd and protested police brutality. Although punctuated with passionate speeches and exhortations for change, the rally and march were non-violent — in part because there were no counter-protesters present. Encompassing people of all races and ages, the crowd initially gathered at City Park. People listened to rally organizers make their pleas for justice and non-violence as well as decrying racial profiling and persecution. The rally was one of the thousands held recently across the U.S. and overseas in response to the killing of Floyd, an African-American who died after being pinned to the pavement for nine minutes by a white officer's knee which was on his neck for about 9 minutes. The diverse crowd often repeated exhortations by the speakers. Brook Seymore, one of the rally's organizers, prompted the crowd to repeat 10 pledges — to respect others through words and actions, to stand up for those who are not treated fairly, to value people of different races, religions and genders, and to not bully others because they are different. Another event organizer, Christine Nicols, thanked the law officers standing on the perimeter of the crowd for their work monitoring the event. "We thank the Glens Falls police and all law enforcement in attendance who are here to keep all of us safe throughout this non-violent event," she said. "We are anti-police brutality, not anti-police — We appreciate our law enforcement officers' presence and efforts." Another organizer said that the spirit of the rally in Glens Falls could spread far and wide. "We are living the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, and Rosa Parks," she said to the cheering crowd. "We can bring this gift of non-violence to the entire world — We're going to go out and do this! The ralliers then marched north to Crandall Park. Marching side-by-side for much of the way near the front of the procession were Local NAACP President Mary Gooden, Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr, and NAACP Vice President Lee Braggs. Gooden and Braggs have been leaders in the racial justice movement in the region for more than a generation. Two days later, a group of several dozen people advocating racial justice and nonviolence held a modest rally at Centennial Circle, and a group of people with Trump banners and garb held a counter-protest across Glen Street, at times shouting at those advocating change. Thom Randall can be reached at 518-744-9600 or ThomRandall.news@yahoo.com.

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Peaceful protest in Glens Falls for racial justice draws 2,300

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