Black Lives Matter Rally To March Through Princeton Sunday

PRINCETON, NJ — As a Black disabled woman living in Princeton, Shariese Katrell, has experienced her share of discrimination and social injustice. Taking a stand against this inequality, Katrell is organizing the "The BlackLivesMatter: Equality March" on Sunday at the Princeton Family YMCA.

The march was rescheduled to Sunday due to anticipated rain on Saturday.

"In America, which is known as the best country 'we continue to live as the colonized and the colonizer, even after over 400 years of slavery and the fight for civil rights.' The abuse of power and privilege is still our pandemic as Black men and women," Katrell said.

"As a social justice activist for numerous marginalized groups, I will not be silenced. I will stand and fight for systematic reformation of our country's police departments, our educational systems, job opportunities and social economic growth for minorities. 'Silence is the seed that continues to build hate, hear our diverse voice's and let's create organizational change for future generations'," Katrell said.

The equality march, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., will feature different organizations, poets, speakers, and performers demonstrating how they can work together to give voice and awareness to residents in the Princeton community about racism. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to march and attend the rally.

The march and rally will assemble at the Princeton Family YMCA parking lot, 59 Paul Robeson Place, and march down Paul Robeson to Tulane, turn right on Nassau, turn right on Witherspoon, turn left on Paul Robeson Place, and end at Princeton Family YMCA.

All attendees must wear masks, maintain social distance, and should bring water and something to sit on.

"I will continue to stand up for people like myself and other minorities, which some feel are on the other side of the tracks of Princeton similar to other wealthy towns. The ability to bring awareness to how Black Lives Matter, and to systemic injustice, is what I hope to accomplish by working along with diverse volunteers," said Katrell.

Katrell previously held her first rally for BlackLivesMatter: Social Justice on June 13, for which she was denied a permit to march and was instead given a permit to hold a peaceful assembly.

The event is co-organized by Sam Shweisky of the Princeton University Athletic Department and supported by Black Mothers Rising, Princeton Arts Council, Princeton Family YMCA, Arlee's Raw Blends, and Princeton University Athletic Department.

For more information about the rally and march check out the Facebook event page here.

The nationwide protests, marches and vigils were sparked following the killing of George Floyd, 46, when then Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video, which captured Floyd saying "I can't breathe," went viral, and sparked the nationwide protests. Read More: All 4 Minneapolis Officers Charged As Protests Continue

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