Mahwah Alliance For Change Says Saturday Protest Was 'Historic'

MAHWAH, NJ — According to the Mahwah Alliance for Change, over 200 people protested systemic racism on Saturday. Leaders of the group are calling the event "historic."

"The community gathered Saturday for a Black Lives Matter protest, unlike any in the town’s history," read a news release from the group.

Reverend Lemuel Brown of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church of Ridgewood led the event, which included live music and speakers from the religious community, as well as area officials.

Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, who openly levied criticism toward the Minneapolis police officers present while George Floyd died, was one of the days noteworthy voices.

"As a law enforcement practitioner, I can say that you’re there to support the law enforcement and help us and remind us what the purpose is and that is to serve," he said of protesters.

Other speakers at the protest included Glen Rock Council Member, and Fifth District candidate Arati Kreibich, as well as Reverend Kenneth Heyman of Mt. Zion AME and Congressman Josh Gottheimer.

According to the Mahwah Alliance for Change, their next step in pushing for "greater awareness about discrimination and systemic racism toward African Americans" will be asking the township council and Mayor to officially recognize Juneteenth.

Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated on June 19, marks the emancipation of the first black slaves in America, which happened in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.