The protests demanding justice for Freddie Gray have continued strong with community groups and organizations rising up from all corners of the city. Tuesday, a community strategy meeting was held by a coalition of concerned citizens to talk about the conditions in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray and how we as individuals can take action.
The meeting was another example of a heartfelt and peaceful gathering of committed individuals that love and care for the city of Baltimore. Though the Real News network building where the meeting took place was surrounded by a heavy police presence, hundreds of citizens flowed into the room with many dozen left standing or sitting on the floor. The individuals in the room were calm, thoughtful, respectful and eager to see justice and their city restored.
We are experiencing a great deal in Baltimore these past several weeks and with eyes from around the globe watching us, many of us are looking for ways that we can get involved, be heard, and make a difference in our communities. From this meeting, facilitated by Bmore United for change came actionable lists of how community members can get involved and make a significant impact within their communities.
Attendees were able to voice their questions, concerns, suggestions and share information on organizations and initiatives already taking place in the city. The meeting concluded shortly after 8pm, considerate of the fact that residents were under curfew and were expected to be home by 10pm.
The next day Bmore United and Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle among other organizations coordinated a March focused around local college and high school students. The March began at Penn Station and moved down St Paul Street to City Hall where many young voices spoke to a crowd of what has been reported to be thousands. The crowd was not only peaceful, it was stunning. A profound sensation of solidarity, unity, and commitment was thick in the air. Among the young speakers was Lady Brion, a member of Leaders for a Beautiful Struggle as well as a poet. As she began to speak into the microphone Wednesday her words quickly captivated the ears of the dense blocks of people surrounding City Hall.
“As an artist myself I just want to say that there is no particular role you have to take in this movement. If you are an artist, be an artist. If you are a lawyer, be a lawyer. If you are a student, be a student. If you are a fighter, be a fighter. It doesn’t matter what you do in life but you need to be a part of this movement. There is space for everybody in this movement, because if you don’t say something when its your neighbor, who will say something when they come for you?”
Upon the conclusion of Lady Brion’s speech it was made clear to the protestors they were no longer welcome to stay at City Hall and needed to move elsewhere. With this the great mass of people quietly began moving back towards Penn Station as final speakers voices could be heard down the blocks of Calvert Street.
The protest concluded at Penn Station with music, dancing, hugs, and a few young voices finally being heard as they rang out down the streets of Baltimore. Slowly, but peacefully the many students, educators, and community members boarded busses and shuttles, loaded into cars, and walked home before the city imposed curfew.
Links for more information:
http://Baltimoreunited.org/ • http://lbsbaltimore.com/ • http://www.byihs.org • http://wearecasa.org • http://bmoreantiracist.org
