Pittsfield March Calls for Equal Justice For All
 Hundreds gathered at the Common to protest injustice after a number of cases involving police shootings and failures to indict. See more photos here. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 200 Pittsfield and county residents marched from Pitt Park to the Common on Sunday, calling for justice.
The march, like many across the country, was sparked by "shock, frustration and disappointment" over a grand jury's recent failure to bring an indictment against a New York City police officer in the death of Eric Garner, which was caught on video.
The Garner case is the latest in what many see as an increase in excessive police force, particularly against African-Americans and including the shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland.
"We shouldn't be here today," said Roberta Dews of Hinsdale, a young mother of three. "But justice has yet again been denied, year after year, month after month, we continue to hear stories of the many lives cut short due to the hands of those put in place to protect and serve."
Led by Shirley Edgerton, founder of Youth Alive, the marchers carried signs and were escorted by Pittsfield Police. The diverse crowd of all ages chanted "justice for all," "black lives matter," "all lives matter."
"We know there are good and decent law enforcement officials, but we cannot afford to ignore the actions of those who do not uphold the rights of citizens," Dews said. "The question remains: Who is next?"
Jerome Edgerton Jr., assistant basketball coach at Pittsfield High School and Youth Alive band director, said recent cases had shown it wasn't just skin color but size, weight, height and location.
"How perfect do I have to be?" he asked.
Dennis Powell, incoming president of the local NAACP chapter, read off a list of those killed. Some had criminal convictions, he acknowledged, but "they were all entitled due process under the law and did not receive it. ...
"They were all entitled to protection and service by law enforcement and did not receive it."
Police know who the bad ones in their ranks are, he said: "They have to police themselves."
Several issues raised by speakers included voting to demand changes in the justice system, supporting community policing and ensuring the community's children could avoid the "web of violence and drugs."
"It's time that we educate our youth that it's OK to be a good student not just an athlete," Jerome Edgerton said, adding that faith must be instilled as well. "That it's OK we care about college, just not graduating high school ... we have to empower our kids to visualize success, to walk with a purpose. ...
"Let this not just shine light on the ignorance that is out there, let this shine light on the awesome task we have to saving our young black men."
Among the speakers were Nakeida Bethel-Smith of Pittsfield, who gave her spoken word poem "There's No Place Like home" ("when no matter what message, degree or power, we will still be looked at like criminals and a threat to our society."), Mayor Daniel Bianchi, the Rev. Warren Dews and the Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross of First Baptist Church, who gave the closing prayer.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, urged those present to make sure they voted.
"Every single person here needs to vote," she said, waving voter registration papers. "If you do not vote, you do not have a voice."
Afterward, Powell said he thought the marches and protests showed people across the nation were outraged.
"People are fed up, people have had enough. You can't have young people for no reason whatever be shot down," he said. In the case of young Tamir, who was shot down holding a toy gun, "they didn't even stop the car. ...
"When you witness a man being choked and begging for his life, people are outraged."
He strongly supports community policing, recalling his childhood in Pittsfield and how Officer Pinky Danford not only knew him but his mother as well.
"We saw a uniform we felt safe and warm," Powell said. "Today our young people see a uniform and they start trembling. That's what's got to change. ...
"There's got to be more police on the beat, walking, talking, speaking, getting to know the community. That's what's going to relieve the fear."
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