Stand in Solidarity

Young residents stand in solidarity at Saturday’s protest rally. (Moira Sweetland photo)

Hundreds of residents of all ages and diverse backgrounds, along with police officers, government officials and faith leaders, gathered together in front of Town Hall on Saturday for a peaceful protest rally in support of racial justice and equity. Spearheaded by Jen Wexler, president of Canton Residents for an Equitable, Sustainable Future (CR4SEF), the event featured speeches, songs, displays of artwork, and a call-and-response/moment of silence dedicated to the memory of George Floyd and other recent victims of racial violence and police brutality.

Many young people spoke during the hour-long event, including Amber Carrington, who fought back tears as she recited a poem written by her cousin Evelyn Carrington, and Tamarra Auguste, who spoke about the personal impact of discrimination and the pain and anguish it has caused her. Several parents also addressed the crowd and lamented living in a world where they fear for their children’s safety solely because of the color of their skin. Police Chief Ken Berkowitz spoke at the conclusion of the rally and pledged with “all of his heart and soul” to do whatever he could to make meaningful change in the Canton community.

Reflecting on the event in a Facebook post, Wexler expressed her thanks for all of those who attended. “We are witnessing a moment when the overwhelming consensus says it is time for change,” she said. “It is possible to heal the deep wounds of racism, all forms of oppression, to halt the vicious racial violence and destruction of life, to dream and take the needed steps to rapidly create a world, a nation, a town where #BlackLivesMatter, an equitable, sustainable future where all lives flourish and we ensure a livable planet.”

See this week’s Citizen for more coverage of the Stand in Solidarity protest rally. Click here to watch CCTV coverage of the rally.

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