Story and photos by Julie Carasone
Organizers Victor Thomas, Brandon Armstrong, Gregory Munroe II, Ray Williams, family and friends made posters and went over final plans for the March for Justice for tomorrow, June 7th, in the City of Batavia.
Citizens will start to gather at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall, and at 11:00 a.m. attendees will march peacefully to the City of Batavia Police Headquarters.
“I wanted to show how a city in between Rochester and Buffalo can do this peacefully and correctly without people getting arrested,” says Munroe.
“I want people to know that we have a strong black community that is being oppressed as well, and we are sick of it and we are taking a stance,” says Armstrong.
“We have four brothers here that have been here, our lives are here and our families are here. Like I said, this is our community, and there is a strong black presence in Batavia and we often get overlooked more than it should. We have a judicial system that suppresses young black boys all the time. We see it with probation, parole and public defenders overloaded with cases. We want to put it all together, so if someone has a problem, you know that we will be there for you and going to be there with you through it,” says Thomas.
The group has had open communication with Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.
“It’s a start, definitely not a finish, and we are hoping to progress to something better,” says Thomas.
After the march, Armstrong says he wants to see progress and a relationship with the police department.
“We want to see them patrol our community like they would a rich community. We want them to look at us as equals. We want to push our journey to a place where we all can come together and show how strong the black community is in town and what we are going through. We are people for all people, but right now we have to put ourselves first, because we are the ones being mistreated the most.”
Munroe says the group plans on taking this further.
“In the literal sense, we all are marching for justice tomorrow, but after this, we will still be marching for justice.”
Victor Thomas says we need to see Batavia have a voice for the people.
“We have people on the city council that do not knock on our doors or are in our community talking with us”.
The group wants the Batavia community and business owners to come out and show their support on Sunday.
“We are trying to say that the black community doesn’t feel like that they are part of the Batavia community. We come here in peace; we are all equal.”
Armstrong says Batavia is a small town and everyone knows everyone.
“We know if someone is acting out, it doesn’t matter if it is family or friends, if they try to sabotage this movement, they will be gone.”
Munroe wanted business owners to know that the group comes in peace.
“We come in peace, police are with us, and you can show your support by putting a message on your boards that you stand for equality, peace and stand with us. We are with you, Batavia.”
Valerie Munroe, Gregory’s mother, is excited for this march.
“I have always wanted to get involved in protests or marches, but I lived too far away. This time it is right here, in my own town and I am so happy and thrilled to do this. I am so proud of Gregory. He never used to have this kind of attitude and turned his feeling around and said “Mom we can do this.” and he did just that. He did it.”
For more information on the March for Justice, you can go to
https://www.facebook.com/groups/720118495418813/
I pray all goes well and that no agitators try to hijack your peaceful message. May God bless all of you and your families!