College students organize march in U.D. today
UPPER DARBY » Two young women in the township are the driving forces behind today’s Upper Darby’s March of Young Voices Against Police Brutality.
After the murder of George Floyd, township residents and college students Rylee Curry and Rachel Holt felt compelled to have their and other youths’ perspectives highlighted.
“The same day, we went fully into action, started making action,” Curry said. “It just resonated with our spirit and focused on the young black people.”
As a result, the two are leading a march at 10:30 a.m. Saturday beginning at the entrance to Naylor’s Park, across from the Dunkin Donuts, up along Garrett Road to the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, down Lansdowne Avenue past the Upper Darby High School, then turning at State Road to Hilltop Road, then turning on Keystone Drive ending at the Beverly Boulevard entrance to Naylor’s Park.
In the park on the field by the red bridge, a program will begin around 12:30 p.m. that will highlight six performers, featuring singers, rappers, poets and musicians. An open mic period will follow.
Curry and Holt talked about the importance of spotlighting youth.
“The youth really haven’t been able to share their opinion in this community,” Holt said. “We know that our peers have something to say.”
“We wanted to create an event that was created by us and for us,” Curry said. “A lot of time when it’s created by adults ... we don’t get to be at the front of it. People won’t listen or they’re shut out.”
In creating the youth march, Curry and Holt recognized the township’s innate diversity with more than 100 ethnic cultures represented in its boundaries.
In their mission statement, they wrote, “We would be remiss if we did not raise our voices about the current issue of police brutality affecting the black and brown community. The purpose of this march is to gather and amplify the young voices of this generation. We hope to gain the support of our community leaders so we can stand in solidarity against global injustices together. We want to display unity amongst the Black community and have our leaders and police force stand beside us.”
For Curry, the backing of township officials is key.
“One of the main purposes of why we wanted to create this march was so that we could have the support of the officials in this community,” she said. “We wanted to feel supported ... We just wanted an ally.”
She’s hoping the mayor, the police superintendent and school district officials attend.
The pair said they’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from their peers.
Holt said she’s been told how proud they are of them, adding she’s received messages like, “You all are doing something great. You’ve got my support all the way. I will be there.”
Curry said others have told her, “This needed to happen.”
She said many have thanked her, adding, “We are looking for solidarity and trying to encourage the community.”
Holt agreed.
“I want the black community to feel uplifted and encouraged,” she said. For allies, she added, “We want them to be able to hear our voices. We want them to hear the vices of our community and learn how they can further help in the future.”
Curry shared her heartfelt message to the black community: “We hear you, we love you and you matter. Your voice can make a difference.”