{"id":18342,"date":"2020-07-16T23:55:28","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T03:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=18342"},"modified":"2020-07-16T23:55:28","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T03:55:28","slug":"batavia-vigil-against-racism-a-community-discussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2020\/07\/16\/batavia-vigil-against-racism-a-community-discussion\/","title":{"rendered":"BATAVIA\/Vigil Against Racism, a community discussion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Story and photos by Julie Carasone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday night, the YWCA hosted a \u201cVigil Against Racism\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two local speakers came out to discuss race issues in the community. Brandon Armstrong, owner of Royals Barbershop, spoke on the issue of misunderstanding, especially when it comes to the media and how people think the media is hyping up racial tensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think what the media does is dehumanize black people and gives off a negative image. So when you see what happens to George Floyd, the knee on the neck, people start to justify that by saying he was a thug or drug user. So the negative picture in the media, paints a different picture of what we really are,” says Armstrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armstrong also talked about the need to have a conversation when \u201cblack on black\u201d crime is brought up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have to start unpacking those things and we have to start asking the critical question, why? Why is there black on black crime. Some of it is racial based laws. Where you have a pedophile that gets a lesser sentence than a black person who has a longer sentence for crumbs of crack cocaine.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said it starts at home and it starts by speaking up on racism and calling it out. Armstrong is one of four men that created the group, Just Kings. Just Kings will begin organizing discussions centered around racism and white supremacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reverend Sheila Campbell McCullough, a prison chaplain, spoke in defense of the Black Lives Matter mantra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Black Lives Matter mantra is a positive, sacred utterance that seeks to affirm a people that have been historically targeted for dehumanization, suffering devaluation, injustice and abuse. The Black Lives Matter mantra will continue to empower the black community globally.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Afterwards, speakers and attendees spoke the names of 31 black men and women who were lost to racial violence in a \u201cSay her Name and Say his Name\u201d ceremony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several other speakers also stepped up to the podium to talk about what their promise will be in learning and speaking out against racism, making a commitment to support the black community and the Black Lives Matter movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The community then dismantled a wall of systematic racism and built a path to wholeness. You can find Just Kings on Facebook. The group is planning a chicken barbecue on July 18th from noon until sold out at the YWCA on North Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Just-Kings-101243478338314\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Story and photos by Julie Carasone On Wednesday night, the YWCA hosted a \u201cVigil Against Racism\u201d. Two local speakers came out to discuss race issues in the community. Brandon Armstrong, owner of Royals Barbershop, spoke on the issue of misunderstanding, especially when it comes to the media and how people \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[2231],"class_list":["post-18342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-batavia","tag-vigil-against-racism"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-4LQ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":59023,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/11\/17\/genesee-county-glow-out-to-host-annual-vigil-for-the-25th-international-transgender-day-of-remembrance-on-wednesday-community-meal-offered\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/GLOW OUT to host annual vigil for the 25th International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, community meal offered","author":"aka","date":"November 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Each year, on the 20th of November, people worldwide take time to remember those lost to anti-transgender violence. This year, Batavia will host GLOW OUT!\u2019s annual vigil and ceremony - and add a community meal to the program \u2013 for the event\u2019s 25th anniversary. \u201cWe hosted four last\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/GOl_edited.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":72469,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/15\/genesee-county-vigil-and-protest-at-detention-center-recognizes-those-who-have-lost-their-lives-due-to-violence\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Vigil and protest at Detention Center recognizes those who have lost their lives due to violence","author":"aka","date":"February 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A protest and a vigil were held at the Buffalo Detention Center on Federal Drive and Rt. 98 on Sunday afternoon. Members of the GLOW Community Alliance gathered at Rt. 98 and Federal Drive to protest Ice, Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies. Following the protest, attendees joined\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_004-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_004-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_004-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_004-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_004-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70041,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/11\/12\/glow-out-hosts-annual-vigil-for-the-international-transgender-day-of-remembrance\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":2},"title":"GLOW OUT! Hosts annual vigil for the International Transgender Day of Remembrance","author":"aka","date":"November 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Every November 20, people worldwide take time to remember those lost to anti-transgender violence. This year, the Batavia First Presbyterian Church will host GLOW OUT!\u2019s annual vigil. \u201cThis year\u2019s Trans Day of Remembrance is especially heartfelt,\u201d said Barb Morrissey, a GLOW OUT! Board Member. \u201cAny loss is difficult,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19619,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2020\/09\/22\/genesee-county-vigil-held-in-batavia-for-justice-ginsburg\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Vigil held in Batavia for Justice Ginsburg","author":"aka","date":"September 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Juiz9-07MRw A group of citizens gathered on the steps of the Old County Courthouse at Rt. 5 and Rt. 63 in Batavia on Tuesday evening, to honor the memory and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away on Friday evening. Buffalo City Court Judge Amy Martoche,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/still-4.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/still-4.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/still-4.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":34863,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/08\/04\/batavia-independent-living-of-the-genesee-region-releases-statement-against-hate-and-racism-asking-for-event-at-cornerstone-church-to-be-cancelled\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":4},"title":"BATAVIA\/Independent Living of the Genesee Region releases statement against hate and racism asking for event at Cornerstone Church to be cancelled","author":"aka","date":"August 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release This past week, the governing Board of the Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) has released an anti-hate and racism statement, in reaction to recent violent events in Western New York and across the country. Director Rae Frank said \u201cThe Governing Council of ILGR felt that it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8821,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2019\/04\/28\/batavia-stand-against-racism-rally-held-at-city-hall\/","url_meta":{"origin":18342,"position":5},"title":"BATAVIA\/Stand Against Racism Rally held at City Hall","author":"aka","date":"April 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/0PjM3ShV9DI The YWCA of Genesee County along with GCC, Glow Women Rise and RESTORE of Planned Parenthood joined together in front of City Hall on Main street on Sunday afternoon in a Stand Against Racism Rally. After several speakers shared their experiences, the group met at the YWCA on North\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C913&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C913&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C913&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/107545138_986715795095913_3103732605527775240_n.jpg?fit=1242%2C931&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18342"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18364,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18342\/revisions\/18364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}