Youth Rally In Protest of George Floyd Murder

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Naomi Roach wants to inspire people, particularly the youth, to be involved with social issues. Sunday she accomplished just that, and much more.

Roach, a 2019 Newburgh Free Academy graduate, who recently wrapped up her freshman year at Howard University, was deeply affected by the racial injustice and police brutality involved with the senseless murder of George Floyd. For the 19 year old history major, it awoke deep seated pain and anger involving prejudice and ignorance she has experienced on a personal level, inciting her to do something. Friends with fellow Howard University student, Shauna Lawrence, a 2019 graduate of Cornwall High School, who shares a similar passion for social justice, Roach found her answer in the form of a youth rally.

“It was important to me and Shauna that our peers become a part of this conversation about racism going on across the country,” explained Roach. “I want the youth to take the next step with helping make a positive change with race relations; this rally is a platform to help them express themselves in some way about how they feel in whatever way they want to do it.”

Beginning at Newburgh’s City Hall both Roach and Lawrence delivered powerful words to a group of protesters who had just arrived from their own march down Broadway. An emotional Lawrence read a personal statement, passionately affirming her intolerance for the current state of racial affairs, along with the dire need for change, now.

“Our history is made invisible; it’s offered as an elective,” said Lawrence, grasping a megaphone. “We walk today because slavery was not long ago, because ignorance is not an excuse and if one of us falls, we all fall.”

That walk took place back up Broadway, concluding at Downing Park, the spot of the youth rally. Here, hundreds, including a large showing of young people, filled the grounds, holding signs, chanting phrases directed at justice, and united in their cause. After a long list of names of African-American’s names were recited whose lives had been cut short at the hands of police brutality, everyone in the park laid down for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time that Floyd had a police officer’s knee stifle his breathing, squeezing the life out of him as he uttered the words, “I can’t breathe.” Not a sound could be heard throughout the entire Park during this symbolic gesture. When it concluded, several could be heard saying, “Wow, that was a long time!”

Next, it was time for the youth to express themselves in a spoken manner. Several bravely took the stage, some even shaking from nerves. One young female urged her peers to stay in school, join extracurricular activities, not accept the status quo, buy from businesses that fight for African-American rights, apply to all kinds of colleges to diversify them, and become the change. She then had a message for adults, “Support all youth,” she powerfully stated and was met by large cheers. Another young man related personal experiences with prejudice, growing up in the City of Newburgh as well as later on in life being a sole black ice skater in an all white sport setting. He paused, recalling once seeing the Confederate Flag during a medal awards event, emotionally arrested on how to take action at the blatant, hurtful disrespect he felt, insisting he wanted to find his voice, and this event was the start. Another urged his peers to make their voices heard by voting. Still another recited some moving free verse lyrics on race relations. Regardless of the format, young people were actively involved, following the tone set by Roach and Lawrence, being inspired.

Hanging across the front stage of the park was a large banner that read, “A protest is a moment. We want a movement.”

Based on the energy and involvement Sunday it was evident sparks for just that were being created.

“Young people can do something to make a real difference; they are very capable,” said Roach. “They have a voice and it deserves to be heard.”

Their emphatic sound was supported by a host of adults, including Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, who spoke of the repeal of 50-A, two pieces of civil rights legislation he related that will be voted upon and passed this week, allowing for transparency on police records as well as the mandatory wearing of body cameras by the State Police, MTA and Port Authority employees. It further stipulates that a special section in the Attorney General’s office, aimed at investigations of shootings involving police, be developed. Also turning out in big numbers were the Mid-Hudson Valley NPHC, better known as “D9,” and all of its chapters.

“When you are facing a systemic racism pandemic amidst a COVID-19 pandemic, you reflect on the ‘clearer vision’ this year 2020 has presented and you ‘pull up’ by any means necessary, especially for our youth,” said Sonya D. Fiol-Grant, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Iota Alpha Omega Chapter. “These world changers requested our presence and participation, so we showed up and showed out; black lives matter.”