Messages Of Hope, Outrage In Montclair Over George Floyd's Death

MONTCLAIR, NJ — It’s been less than a week since George Floyd died in the custody of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But since then, a massive wave of anger, outrage – and hope – has swept the nation.

Here are some of the messages that have recently emerged from Montclair.

‘LIKE YOU, WE ARE OUTRAGED’

Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti and the township’s governing body offered a joint statement on Floyd’s death Monday.

Their statement read:

“Our township has long been recognized as one of the most diverse in the state, if not the nation, embracing and respecting those of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, and creeds. Like you, we are outraged by the actions of law enforcement officers in Minneapolis that resulted in the senseless death of George Floyd. The actions of these officers are contrary not only to the values of the Montclair Police Department, but to everyone in law enforcement throughout the nation who swore to protect and serve their communities. What the world has seen in the video of this horrific event, is a violent act that should not, and will not, be tolerated by any just law enforcement agency. Those involved should be held accountable not only for their violent actions, but their failure to act and intercede.

“The Montclair Police Department has long viewed its relationship with our community as a partnership, continually working together to make our town a better place to live, work, learn, and explore. The department embraces the community-oriented policing philosophy of welcoming suggestions and concerns from residents, business owners, and visitors, collectively addressing problems to improve relations. Officers specifically assigned to the Community Services Unit are directed to reach out to those community members in need and assist them in improving the quality of life in their area. The department takes great pride in its reputation of having its members be part of the fabric of the community, often helping the disadvantaged and less fortunate and serving as coaches and mentors to the youth.

“The residents of Montclair should be assured that the members of the police department will continue to strive to provide the level of service and professionalism that the community has come to expect and deserve. In recent years, the department was recognized by receiving accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, which acknowledges that our policies and procedures are conceptually sound and operationally effective. Officers are required to attend training in use of force twice a year and all use of force incidents are to be administratively reviewed by a supervisor and the department’s Professional Standards Bureau. Deviations from departmental use of force policies or failure to intercede when an officer is seen violating a law could result in disciplinary actions or criminal charges against the offending officer or officers.

“Chief Todd Conforti joins Mayor Robert Jackson, Mayor-elect Sean Spiller, Deputy Mayor Rich McMahon, Councilman William Hurlock, Councilwoman Robin Schlager, Councilwoman Renee Baskerville, Councilman Robert Russo, Councilwoman-elect Lori Price Abrams, Councilman-elect David Cummings, Councilman-elect Peter Yacobellis and Acting Township Manager Timothy Stafford in voicing support for the family of George Floyd and all those throughout the nation mourning his senseless death. We hope that, as a community, we can emerge from this inexplicable tragedy with increased compassion, understanding, and empathy for one another and a renewed pursuit of justice and equality for all.”

'INCREDIBLE BRUTALITY'

Nathan Parker, interim superintendent of the Montclair Public School District, offered the following message about Floyd’s death in a letter to the community.

“Sadly we are faced with seeing the incredible brutality, live and in full view, of yet another African American killed. Bystanders, once again unable or unwilling to intervene. The perpetrator had 18 prior complaints; yet the system in place did not prevent this needless escalation of violence.

“There is something troubling going on in our society now that is enabling this kind of monstrous behavior. The escalation of violence in media, language, and behavior is growing more prevalent.

“No one of color appears to be safe these days. There has been systemic racism in the United States perpetuated over many generations. As a result, a person of color, young or old, must walk the streets with extreme caution.

“I grieve for the loss of Mr. George Floyd along with the many others who have been killed, some of whom are listed [here]: Breonna Taylor, Ahmard Arbery, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Quanice Hayes, Aiyana Jones, Eric Garner, Stephon Clark, Sandra Bland, Kendra James, Trayvon Martin.

“These senseless murders cannot continue. The loss of life for these individuals is tragic in itself. The loss of civil society has never been more at risk.

“We must continue to have courageous conversations with each other and seek to inspire non-violent solutions to our fears and concerns. Montclair Public Schools is a place where these conversations take place around a framework of equity and restorative justice.

“I express my heartfelt concern for the family and friends of Mr. George Floyd with a feeling of shame that this could continue to happen in the United States of America.”

'HEARTBREAKING AND APPALLING'

U.S. Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey’s 11th District said it’s “unconscionable that another black man has died at the hands of someone sworn to protect.”

“George Floyd’s murder is heartbreaking and appalling,” the congresswoman said. “Communities are grieving, and it's on all of us to stand united against hate and systematic injustice.”

Sherrill represents towns in Essex County including part of Montclair.

'COMPLETE LACK OF HUMANITY'

Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill, a Montclair resident, released the following statement on Friday:

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd, and I share the outrage expressed by the African American community at the brutality, and complete lack of humanity, exhibited by police officers who have been trained to protect and serve the community. I also feel a deep sadness in recognizing that the events surrounding Mr. Floyd’s death cannot be described as shocking. That is the true tragedy of the events in Minnesota, and everyone in our nation should feel that their rights to life and liberty have been attacked. Unfortunately, a great majority of people in this country do not feel attacked because they view George Floyd, a black man, as different. Mr. Floyd was not different. He was a father, a brother, a neighbor. He was all of us. The sooner we realize, as a nation, that the death of a black man is just as tragic as the death of ANY PERSON, we can begin the healing process that will unite us and bring about an understanding that all life is precious.”

‘BRUTALLY MURDERED’

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of New Jersey’s 10th District said that Floyd was “brutally murdered.” While Chauvin has since been arrested, the congressman also called for Minneapolis authorities to file charges against the other three police officers who participated in the incident.

Payne wrote:

“I want to extend my full support to all Americans who have taken to the streets to protest systemic racism in cities across the country. Mr. Floyd’s death is just one of far too many recent and historic police actions nationwide that have killed unarmed African Americans. These repeated incidents erode our faith and trust in democracy. As a nation, we were founded on the belief that all men and women were created equal regardless of race and that all of us have a universal right to life and liberty. These protestors are practicing their Constitutional right to peaceful assembly and all elected officials as well as public servants should respect and honor that. But the key word is peaceful. I understand how the frustration and anger of a peaceful protest can turn violent. There are times when such actions are necessary, such as the time a band of American patriots protested taxation with their actions during the Boston Tea Party. However, violence is never the answer. It only allows aggressors to justify the excessive force that has come to characterize the arrest and detention of blacks in America.”

Payne represents several towns in Essex County including part of Montclair.

'A RESPONSIBILITY'

The Montclair Education Association (MEA) announced its members will hold actions from June 2 to June 5 in response to “the recent acts of police brutality against black men and women.”

Community participation is welcomed, organizers stated.

“Each and every one of us who believe ourselves to be advocates for racial justice have a responsibility to use our platforms to give air to those who are gasping for it,” MEA President Petal Robertson said.

According to the MEA, the following events will take place in Montclair:

A Week of Solidarity at Nishuane Park’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial - Tuesday, June 2 through Friday, June 5 - 12 to 4 p.m.

“A time to honor the black lives lost due to racially motivated violence, the community will be invited to leave a memento of solidarity against racism at Nishuane Park’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Suggestions include written comments, poems, and thoughts, as well as flowers, wreaths and other tokens to honor the memories of those who have lost their lives due to racist acts. The Memorial is located on the Harrison Avenue side of Nishuane Parker, across from the fire station. To maintain social distancing guidelines, participants are asked not to linger.”

Community Conversation on Racial Injustice - Wednesday, June 3 - 4 to 6 p.m.

MEA President Robertson will host a Community Conversation via Zoom, featuring Montclair leaders, including:

- Tyrone Williams, Jr., Montclair Police Lieutenant and Bureau Commander, Community

Policing Unit

- Gayl Shepard, Restorative Justice Coordinator for the Montclair School District

- Mirta Alsina, Montclair High School Assistant Principal

- Reginald Clark, Montclair High School Assistant Principal

- Brian Ford, Montclair High School Center for Social Justice Social Studies Teacher

- Shayla George, Vice President of the Montclair NAACP Youth Council

- Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, Executive Director of the Montclair Fund for Education Excellence

The panelists will respond to, and take questions and comments from, the public via the Zoom chat option. Join the Zoom meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86264387603?pwd=cmNHcVBVVS94dXkrN1ZFeHhpZGdzZz09. Meeting ID: 862 6438 7603. Password: 453168. Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/klFI4wNY9

Mobile Protest - Friday, June 5 - 4:30-6:30 p.m.

“The Montclair Education Association and Restorative Justice Montclair will lead a caravan of Montclair Public School educators and community members who will travel in cars through Montclair’s six square miles with messages of solidarity against police brutality. The caravan will pass all 11 Montclair Public School Buildings, starting at Bradford School at 87 Mt. Hebron Road at 4:30 p.m. and ending at Nishuane School on Cedar Avenue.”

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