Credit: Jordan Laird
Credit: Jordan Laird
They marched to where a recently erected Black Lives Matter banner hangs over U.S. Route 68 on the north side of the village. There, the demonstrators sat or stood on the road in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the approximate length of time a Minneapolis Police officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck.
Credit: Jordan Laird
Credit: Jordan Laird
Bomani Moyenda, one of the group organizers, said they want to affect lasting change.
“We’re not just making noise,” he said. “We’re trying to figure out how to influence or create policy resulting in lasting change.”
Organizers with YS Speaking Up for Justice, an informal citizens group that grew out of a Facebook page with the same name, said their original list of demands have largely been met or are being addressed by the village council and the village school board. Those demands included addressing exclusionary curriculum in the village schools.
A young group of high school age organizers Moyenda affectionately calls the “anti-racism wrecking crew” said they are interested in setting new goals and forming new initiatives in their village and the larger community of Greene County.
“We’re really just trying to raise awareness,” said Sayre Hudson. “Also, [we want to] create a safe space, a place that feeds people’s souls in this community, a place where people of color can come or LGBT+ people can come and feel supported and safe and uplifted.”
Credit: Jordan Laird
Credit: Jordan Laird
The group also focuses on providing education through its weekly rallies. Attendees Saturday heard speakers talk about their experiences at the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. Previous rally topics have included antiracism in education, protesters' rights, Black history and voter information. The last week of every month is an open mic at which attendees can speak about what they’ve done recently to be anti-racist.
Credit: Jordan Laird
Credit: Jordan Laird
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