Somers Rally Brings Hundreds Of Comments To Social Media

SOMERS, NY — A planned rally in Somers Thursday is heating up the town supervisor's Facebook page with hundreds of comments. Two Somers residents — Jena Blair and Katie Goldberg — organized the event, called Solidarity Rally for Black Lives.

It will be held from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Reis Park.

"Join us and Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam at Reis Park for a time of reflection and growth as we stand to bring awareness to the injustices against the Black community within Westchester County, NY," the organizers posted on the Facebook event page.

They said, because of the new coronavirus pandemic, all attendees must wear masks and social distance. If not, those people will be asked to leave.

Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey did not respond to a request from Patch for a comment, but he did post on his Facebook page that the organizers were expecting 50 people to attend the peaceful rally.

SEE ALSO: Merrick Residents Confront Black Lives Matter Protesters: WATCH

He said that, because the number of people was in conflict with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order on large gatherings, the town could not and did not issue a permit for the event.

"However, the Constitution provides citizens the right to hold peaceful rallies and state/local governments cannot interfere with their rights to free speech," he said. "Essentially, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution provides for peaceful assembly and free speech."

Morrissey said the town understands that it was frustrating that large gatherings are restricted, especially since there could be no in-person graduation ceremony for the Somers High School seniors.

He said the organizers contacted the New York State Police, who are coordinating with the town police to provide a safe environment for all.

Additionally, the location of the rally was selected in coordination with the organizers and town police, in that it provides the best place for social distancing and public safety.

Among the more than 700 comments on Morrissey's post were the suggestion that the town should have closed the park, the opinion that churches should be able to hold "rallies" every Sunday morning and the idea that protests "have become a harvest of criminals with the intention of destruction."

There were supportive comments as well, saying that it was good to see Somers stepping up and doing the right thing and wondering why so many people were focusing on potential negative outcomes of a peaceful protest.

And then one man said they can do whatever they want, but "if we're opening the park can we get some rims back on those hoops?!?"

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