Council, equality coalition to meet
A local activism group could start meeting with Lansdale officials soon to discuss racial equality.
LANSDALE » A local activism group could start meeting with Lansdale Borough officials soon to work on ways to continue spreading the message from summer racial justice demonstrations.
Borough council gave an update Wednesday night on recent talks with members of the “Lansdale Equality Coalition” and steps council and the coalition could take soon.
“I think they’re looking for assistance in, for lack of a better term, getting the word out,” said councilman Leon Angelichio.
That coalition is the result of talks that started in early July when resident Anthony Simpson proposed painting “Black Lives Matter” along a portion of the Liberty Bell Trail, on Railroad Avenue next to the borough municipal building, council chambers and police station. After weeks of backand-forth discussion, a group showed renderings of the concept and a public petition showing support in July. However, the group was told of possible drawbacks including setting precedent for the use of public property, and in August group leaders agreed to work with council to form a working group to further address the topic.
In late October, Simpson posted on the group’s Facebook page that little had happened since those most recent talks in August, saying the “borough ghosted” since creating the lines of communication.
Angelichio and council President Denton Burnell said Wednesday that, since that post, they’ve had talks with group leaders about setting up an informal meeting to discuss next steps.
“By having us host a meeting, whether that be through Zoom or whatever the case may be — we’ll decide that with Anthony,” Angelichio said.
That meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12 and will likely include members of the coalition, council, and borough staff, and will go over the group’s goals and objectives.
“I think what we need to do is figure out how is this going to be built? Will it be overseen by the borough? Is a councilperson the figurative head? Or is this going to be a loose coalition that we can assist in the organization of?” Angelichio said.
Burnell said he thought the early talks would focus on how the town can
partner with the coalition to support the group’s goals, and Angelichio said he thought that could be a starting point.
“I want to see them have some skin in the game. I don’t want to see the borough footing bi l l s for printing and advertising, and everything associated with being a committee. If it becomes an official committee, now that’s different,” he said.
Borough Manager John Ernst asked if the f irst meeting would be public or private, and advertised accordingly. Angelichio and Burnell said they both though the first meeting would lay that groundwork, and find areas where residents can mobilize the public without overlapping other groups that already exist.
“I can’t see this group handling complaints, because we have a group that handles complaints that are based on things like race, religion, creed — we already have a group for that,” Angelichio said, referring to the town’s human relations commission.
“I want to find out, what is the mission statement they want to put forward? How is the organizational structure going to be? I don’t think that’s for the public: I think that’s for the core group of organizers to discuss, and from that point we say ‘ OK, let’s set up a meeting schedule,’” he said.
“I think it becomes a public meeting once you’ve built the framework for what this is,” Burnell added.
Councilwoman Carrie Hawkins Charlton asked if she could also join those talks, and if there was a limit on the number of council participants. Burnell said that would likely depend on what is discussed, and an open public meeting could have multiple members attend, but any f irst conversation would be limited and could not discuss any use of public funds.
Simpson said Thursday that, since his “borough
ghosted” post, he’s heard from both council members and staff about setting up the planning meeting and wants to keep the message at the forefront.
“I look forward to the opportunity to see where we can go with this. While I know the message ‘Black Lives Matter’ is considered divisive, it’s my goal to make sure that whatever message we do send doesn’t stray far from that sentiment,” Simpson said.
“I’m not interested in seeing this slowly slip into an ‘All Lives Matter’ conversation. If all lives matter, then help us prove it. Let’s take this moment and opportunity to validate this message,” he said.
The Lansdale c oa l ition has started partnerships with several similar groups including Montco NORML, Refuse Fascism Philly, Montco Activ ist United, Community For Change, the Montco PA Worker’s Coalition, Progressive Montco, Movement for Black and Brown L ive s in Montgomer y County, and Delco Resist. Those groups have helped spread the word about election and voting-related protests and demonstrations, Simpson said, and are currently discussing other projects like a drop box near the Lansdale Library that could provide information for those interested in applying to have minor drug-related criminal convictions expunged from their records.
“There are several ideas from several outlets we have been discussing that we think can add to Lansdale. If those conversations get an opportunity to take shape, we will put them out there,” Simpson said.For more information on the Lansdale Equality Coalition search for “Lansdale Equality Coalition” on Facebook or email lecmont c opa@g ma il.com. Lansdale’s borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18; for more information visit www.Lansdale. org.