Englewood Joins BLM Protest
The brutal murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN, has reverberated throughout the nation, igniting protests and rallies across numerous towns, including several in Englewood, New Jersey. On June 6, 2020, around 300 people, all marching in solidarity and waving picket signs, spilled out on the streets of Englewood. Made up of local residents, students, and people from neighboring towns, the crowd was very diverse.
“The crowd was bigger than I expected. I would say that at least 50 people came from neighboring towns. From Englewood, people of all ethnicities came and showed their support to the cause,” commented junior Syanco Estrada, who attended the rally that Saturday.
Once the crowd reached city hall, guest speakers came forth and further stirred the crowd with their impassioned speeches. The feverish cries of racial injustice and the equally passionate responses from the crowd could be heard throughout the town. For many, this rally sparked hope and reassured people that change was possible. Despite preaching freedom and opportunity for all, the United States, at its onset, has been steeped in racism and antagonism towards minority groups. With this rally, and those in towns all across the nation, thousands of people in America have gained hope and a sense of comfort.
“It was very comforting to know that so many people care about the equality of all. So many people recognize that systemic racism negatively impacts the lives of many minorities and that black lives are disproportionately targeted by the police and the entire criminal justice system. I was reassured that change is possible, despite 400 years of racism, oppression, and inequality,” junior Christopher Butcher expressed.
Despite the sweltering heat and the lurking threat of COVID-19, the Englewood protest revealed that, in the event of a pressing national issue, people will passionately come together to fight for what is right. The lively and buzzing energy of the rally remained, even when it came to a successful, peaceful end.
“I would just like to say that the Black Lives Matter movement is one that will go down in history and that I am proud to have been on the right side of it. Everyone should be treated equally and given the same respect no matter who they are,” Syanco stated.
Tenzin is a fourth-year member and the current editor of the newspaper. She is a senior in the Biomedicine Academy and is associated with numerous clubs...