Protesters At Rally Against Police Brutality Want Accountability

SOUTHOLD, NY — With John Lennon's "Imagine" playing softly in the background, a crowd of several hundred gathered in Jean Cochran Park in Peconic Wednesday for a peaceful protest held to speak out against the killing of George Floyd in Minneaplis.

The "NOFO Peaceful Protest Against Police Brutality" was organized by Kenny Black, a manager at Lucharitos who said he was moved to organize the event after attending another protest, his first, in Riverhead Sunday.

After passionate and emotional speeches and a moment of silence, the group marched to the Southold Police Department, where the group collectively knelt before the building, chanting "I can't breathe," and "George Floyd," while Police Chief Martin Flatley and police officers stood silently outside.

(Lisa Finn / Patch)

"There is strength in unity," Black said, his voice filled with emotion. "We are here for a specific reason and it does start with 'Black Lives Matter'. And that is not to take any credit away from any other lives, whether they are white, Asian, Hispanic — we all matter. But we can't all matter until black lives matter," he said, as the crowd cheered.

Black said he wanted to hold the protest on the North Fork, where he grew up; he played football on the fields at the park as a child and still plays soccer there. "This is our community and we deserve a say in what goes on here, no matter what."

Kenny addressed black lives lost in May to "tragic police brutality, missing justice and racism." While there will unfortunately be other incidents in the future, he said: "We need to start locally. We need to get everyone we know and love together, all fighting for the same goal. And together, with our police force."

The protest, he said, "is by no means, f--- the cops or anything like that. I grew up here, and I know a lot of officers and people who work for the hospitals and who serve this community and I know they mean well. We can make a community of unity and strength, together, where we are all working towards the same common goal."

The North Fork, he said, is not marked by segregation and racial tension. "I leave my house knowing that I will be okay, and that I am protected by people I know and love, who have seen me grow up and who I have seen grow up. Who I have seen step into the Police Academy and I know that they are here to serve a purpose — to protect the lives of the people that live in this community."

Call to hold accountability for controversial retirement party for officer where crowd gathered

Black spoke out about an issue involving the Southold Police department that has sparked controversy; a retirement party was held recently for a Southold Town police officer in Cutchogue where a crowd gathered and was shown in photos without masks or social distancing.

The gathering has sparked a sea of angry comments on social media, with residents asking how, at a time when large gatherings are banned because of coronavirus and graduations and even funerals are not allowed to happen, police could attend a large retirement party.

"I know there are a lot of angry feelings about that retirement party," Black said. "That's in the past. The only thing we can do now is ask for accountability. For our law enforcement to stand up and say that they did what they did and take accountability for their actions."

"Thank you!" one woman in the crowd yelled, as many clapped.

"If you don't make amends, you can't heal," another shouted.

As a restaurant manager, Black said he is accountable for the actions of his staff. "That's all we want, is accountability," he said.

When reached by email after the protest to discuss the party, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he was unaware of the event, and that he was also sure no one on the town board was aware of it.

"An investigation is underway. I am not in a position to offer any comments until we gather all of facts and we will take any action necessary to restore the public's faith in the police department," Russell said.

Councilwoman Sarah Nappa brought the issue up at a Southold town board work session and mentioned Gov. Andrew Cuomo's social distancing protocols, which has put the brakes on social gatherings of more than 10 people.

"Members of our community have missed birthday parties, graduations, weddings, births, funerals except for a select group who felt they are above the law because they are the law —untouchable, privileged. No one is above the law."

She has called for an investigation of the incident and asked for coronavirus testing of town employees who were present.

Russell said any matter that includes specific actions or directions of the town board is a personnel matter. "However, I support Councilwoman Sarah Nappa's suggestion of having any employees in attendance be tested for COVID-19 — although it is not clear if we have that authority."

Of the incident, Russell said: "I am choosing to reserve judgment until all of the facts are gathered and the investigation is complete. There are several issues regarding the event. I want to have a complete understanding of all of the facts and details and let those determine any course of action."

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Wednesday.

Reaching out to youth

Black also urged the crowd to find ways to help get young people involved. "These are the people who are going to be leading this fight down the road," he said.

He would like to "challenge our youth," Black said. "Right now we have an opportunity to start teaching our kids love and not hate, to show our kids right from wrong and to bring everyone together at a young age. We just have to stand together and stand for something peaceful, together."

Black also called upon the adults to change the climate of the community, starting with the children. "Things that you say or do in front of the younger generation leave lasting impressions. You have to be able to be willing to teach love and to show them right from wrong. . . You want to keep everyone on the same straight path, which is loving all," Black said. "We are all equal. Look around you. We have people of all ages, of all shapes and sizes, of all colors, of all genders, and they are all here for the same, common goal. This isn't a white versus black issue — this is an everyone against racism issue."

Black outlined goals on ways to make a change, including sitting down with youth and helping to facilitate dialogue from all communities. He also spoke about bringing together business owners, as well as nurses, EMTs, police officers and others, to speak about community needs and give everyone a voice.

Justice for George

Speaking of Floyd, Black said his death was the "straw that broke the camel's back," and added that injustice and police brutality have existed for hundreds of years.

The crowd cheered as Black announced that the other officers who were present at Floyd's death had been arrested and that the Derek Chauvin, the officer who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck, was facing an upgraded charge of second degree murder.

The world, Black said, is listening to the sea of protesters demanding justice.

Violence is not the answer, he said, urging the crowd to talk and use their voices for good as they find a new, peaceful way forward.

His mother, Connise Black Williams, wore a Trayvon Martin T-shirt after Martin was killed. "She would wear it almost every day,"Black said. "Looking back, I saw my mother wore that shirt every day as a reminder, to not only me but also my friends and everyone else in the community, that that could be someone that we know and love on that shirt."

Black Williams, who grew up in Greenport and whose children graduated from Mattituck High School, also spoke passionately to the crowd about being "the only blacks on the block."

Her children, she said, are good children. "My son is amazing. But that still did not stop me from worrying when he would come home at night from working, being a bartender, smelling like liquor, driving home. He got pulled over several times by some of the cops that he had served. . .I want my son to come home every night, then and now."

She also worries, she said, for her autistic grandson, who does not speak. "What's going to happen to him when he's 14 or 15? That scares me."

Holding up a sign with the names of her family, she said: "I'm here because of this: My mother. My sister. My brother. My nephew. My niece. They all matter."

She added that she has a lot of friends that she loves and respects. "But let's keep it real. There's a privilege. And then there's those that are afraid every day. I am one of those. Just keeping it real."

Aterahme Lawrence urged the crowd to educate themselves. "We do agree that police lives matter," she said. "But there are not-good police in your comradeship; there are people out there intentionally hurting us. If you are not going to hold those people accountable, we will push you out, too . . . We are standing with people of all colors but you need to stand with us first."

One woman, 80, said she was a retired teacher. "Where I live is a wonderful place to be quarantined, but it is not a wonderful place for respect from the police. If I have any difficulties, the last thing I would do is call the all white police force." After attending rallies in the 60s, she said, she wasn't interested in attending the Peconic event. "But then my ancestors said to me, 'Come out and experience it one more time. Give the young people that connection with the past.'"

There is a need for strategy and critical thinking if there is going to be real change, she said, urging the crowd to keep striving. "The young people need to have a better world than what we have for them now," she said.

Another woman, Michelle, said the cry for change has to come from all. "It can't just come from our community, it has to come from every community. It's not just our problem. It's everyone's problem."

She has two sons, 21 and 14, she said. "I am afraid for their lives. And I taught my children growing up on Long Island and seeing such diversity, to love and respect everyone. But they need everyone to love and respect them, too. They need to know when they step outside, they are not going to be accosted — and it's not by the the police. It's by neighbors, by people who say they are friends. If we love each other, the way God said we are supposed to, you have to live by the Word."

Others spoke at the event before the march to the police station, where the group knelt peacefully before walking back to the park.