Maplewood And South Orange Teachers Plan 'Rally For Black Lives'

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A group called Teachers for Black Lives will hold a rally and march from South Orange to Maplewood on Monday starting at 4 p.m. While the group largely consists of teachers in the South Orange-Maplewood school district, they said they have invited teachers from throughout New Jersey, and expect teachers from nearby districts to attend.

The group will march from Grove Park in South Orange to Memorial Park in Maplewood.

The event is the latest in a wave of demonstrations in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Four Minneapolis police officers have been charged in connection with Floyd's death, and protests have taken place around New Jersey and the country.

The group explained on Facebook: "Our students have made their voices heard, and it is our turn to respond. It’s time for us to show them that we are listening and are standing in solidarity with them against police brutality and the murder of black people."

They added, "We must show our students that they are not alone in this fight for racial justice, but rather that they have a whole community—including their teachers and school staff—who are fighting for justice with them."

On Facebook, 807 people had responded to the post as of Sunday afternoon.

The post said the event will be hosted by Stephanie Rivera, Willy Renmus, Ras Heru, Kate Dodd, Beth Johnson and Amy Biasucci.

They advised, "Please wear a mask/covering and practice social distancing. Bring a sign, bring a mask, bring a friend, and bring your solidarity! It’s going to be a powerful night!"

In related news, Maplewood has been looking for one adult representative and one youth representative to join the Maplewood Community Board on Police. For more information, click here.

And to read what the Maplewood Township Committee had to say in response to the death of George Floyd, click here.

Do you plan to take photos of local protests? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.

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