‘Racism is insidious, it’s systemic’
What do we want? Justice. What do we need? Justice. What do we demand? Justice. #Justice4blacklives. That was the chant as thousands of people — young and old — peacefully marched down Victoria Avenue, Bridge Street and River Road in Niagara Falls before pausing near the Whirlpool Bridge to show solidarity with fellow demonstrators on the other side of the border in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Saturday.
Organizer Sherri Darlene said she was overwhelmed by the number of people who came out in support of the demonstration.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing and I’m so proud of everybody — I’m so proud of white people for coming and saying, ‘You know what, we see it now, and we’re going to help you make this change’ because we need our white allies because we’ve been saying this is going on and we need them to stand
beside us,” she said.
The event was held following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in Minneapolis when a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes about two weeks ago, and also because of past incidents involving Black people and police, as well as to shed light on how Black lives can be perceived not just in the United States.
The demonstration started at noon, as participants stood on both sides of the sidewalk along Victoria Avenue, starting at the entrance to Highway 420 and stretching several blocks past Armoury Street.
The demonstrators were met with a constant stream of passing vehicles that honked their horns in support, including city buses and fire trucks that blasted their sirens. Demonstrators then marched, accompanied by a police escort, toward the Whirlpool Bridge, which was closed to all Canada and U.s.-bound traffic to ensure the safety of the participants. Once there, demonstrators waited for their counterparts to gather on the U.S. side before taking a knee.
Niagara Falls resident Shelley Glica said fighting for equality has been something she has stood by “for my whole life.”
“I think we are in the midst of a global crisis and it’s bringing everything to the forefront. The time is now for change and I’m here to support ending racism in Canada and around the world, as well as amplifying Black voices in our community.” Glica said racism is a “global” crisis and not just a problem in the U.S.
“Racism is insidious, it’s systemic, it’s in every facet of our existence in Canada, the U.S. and across the globe. It may not be as overt as it is in the U.S., but it is definitely here.”
St. Catharines resident Cam Kennedy said it’s important people of all races “come together” to fight for social justice.
“As we’re watching on TV, our (Black) nation is being murdered by the hands of the people that we put our trust in as a society to protect us,” she said. “The Black Lives Matter movement is not trying to portray an image that only Black Lives Matter, all lives matter, it’s Black lives that are in danger. We all need to stand together in this time.”
St. Catharines resident Ally Strachan attended the demonstration with her husband Marino, eight-year-old daughter Michaela and four-year-old son Judah.
“It’s about time that people start showing up and standing with one another, especially white people standing in solidarity, supporting, understanding, sitting in the discomfort and realizing that we have the ability to affect change and a lot of it, if not most of it, falls on our shoulders.”
Strachan said Michaela, a mixed-race child, attends a predominantly white school and has dealt with racism.
“She’s had other kids make fun of her hair, she doesn’t even want to wear her hair down — she always wants it up because she’s had people comment on it. It’s good for her to (attend such demonstrators), it’s good for her to come out and as a mixedrace kid see different races coming together in solidarity and in support of one another.”
Niagara Falls resident Lennox Farrell said Saturday’s demonstration reminded him of a protest he was part of while living in Toronto about 30 years ago after Rodney King was beaten by police in Los Angeles.
“As a member of the Black Action Defence Committee … we had a demonstration in Toronto and the young people went crazy — it was very much like this,” said the retired teacher.
Farrell said Floyd’s death, which was caught on video, “humanized” Black people.
“To watch a human being die, his neck being crushed, calling for his mother … I think Floyd, in dying, humanized us. His death was so shameless that it doesn’t matter who you are, what status you are, what race you are, what language you speak, I think people were insulted at the way he was killed.”
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said he was proud of the demonstrators, who kept the roughly three-hour event peaceful.
“The city wanted to make sure we were supportive of the event, to help it go as smooth as possible, so we put in (portable washrooms) in several locations, we bagged all the meters on Victoria Avenue, so there’s more room for the crowds.”
The municipality also designated several lots in the area for event parking.
“We’re happy to see that it’s peaceful — they’ll get their message across much better if it’s done in a peaceful way.”
Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan Macculloch said he was also impressed with the peaceful behaviour of the demonstrators.
“It’s a very difficult time in our history in Canada and for policing,” he said. “We’re prepared to listen and to learn and to do a better job of policing our entire community.”
Macculloch, who took a knee along with demonstrators for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the duration Floyd was pinned down — said several officers participated in the march.
“I think it’s important that we’re here with the community, listening to the community and showing our support and solidarity.”
— with contributions from Allan Benner and Dave Johnson Raymond.spiteri@niagaradailies.com 905-225-1645 | @Rayspiteri