On my way out of City Hall Thursday night, I saw a flyer for a "peaceful rally" tonight "in memory of all the 'Trayvon Martins' " sponsored by the mayor and the city "in collaboration with the Plainfield Area NAACP."
The rally is 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 515 Watchung Ave.
The flyer has both the city seal and the emblem of the NAACP. There is no notice of the rally on the city web site, but it is posted on the Plainfield Area NAACP web site.
A candlelight vigil was held at City Hall on July 17 to "commemorate the lives of unarmed youth killed without justice," following the July 13 acquittal George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. The vigil was organized by Plainfield Y.O.U. (Youth Organized for Unity). See post here.
On Tuesday, a National Night Out observance will be held at City Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. See flyer here. National Night Out is a crime prevention program now celebrating its 30th year. It began with a symbolic display of porch lights to indicate homeowners were on the alert against criminals.
According to its web site, The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.
Two community groups, FOSH and Netherwood Heights Neighbors, are also holding a National Night Out event. See more here.
--Bernice
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteI am a member of the governing body, and yet I was not made aware of this so-called "city" event. It seems to be yet another desperate attempt by the mayor to be "relevant"--what is the point of this rally? It feels exploitative to me. I guess some folks don't like being upstaged by Plainfield youth, who organized a well-attended, spontaneous rally to express their concerns and sadness at the verdict. Thankfully, this mayor and her showboating will disappear soon. Many are counting the days.
Rebecca
Comment accidentally deleted:
ReplyDeleteIts so hyprocritical for local voices to rally against racial profiling in florida but keep quite about the racial profiling of black men here in plfd case and point front st latino men gather in large groups littering and loitering and engaging in illegal soliciting. Of various services but god forbid a group of blackmen on a city street engaging in the same activity the rules change the freedom to peaceful assembly goes the window and profiling comes in lets begin the work of justice and peace here at home first. May God bless our city with justice and peace and economic prosperity. A good brother Mr x
Awful nice of the mayor to let the community know in advance!
ReplyDeleteRegarding National Night Out: After 8 YEARS of doing this, the mayor's habitual neglect for rules, regulations, etc., is once again on display. To wit, she did not submit a request to the governing body for a street closure--it needs city council approval. At this point, though, I guess no one cares.
ReplyDeleteRebecca