Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Montco residents march for justice, equality and change
NORRISTOWN » Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., young people and other supporters marched for justice and equality and expressed their hopes for change during a peaceful day of service in the county’s seat.
“You want to be the change? Go into these political positions, go be lawyers, go be police officers, go be judges and go be politicians. We’re the change. We are the change,” Ivianna Littles, representing the Young Scholars of Norristown group, said as she energized a crowd on the steps of the county courthouse.
Littles, an aspiring lawyer, was one of about 100 people who marched from borough hall to the courthouse on Monday, the federal holiday that honors the late civil rights activist, to make their voices heard and to demand an end to gun violence, inequitable school funding and inequalities in the criminal justice system.
Members of the multicultural, multi-generational group chanted, “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice, No Peace,” as they made the three block trek along Airy Street from municipal hall to the courthouse. Norristown police provided an escort for the marchers.
Respecting COVID-19 mitigation measures, the participants wore face coverings during the MLK Day March for Justice and Equality that was sponsored by the Greater Norristown NAACP Youth Chapter.
Angelique Hinton, president of the Norristown NAACP Chapter, thanked borough police for the escort and paid tribute to all emergency responders and frontline workers who are protecting the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hinton explained the march provided a platform for young adults from the Norristown area “to speak truth to power” and make their voices heard on important social issues.
“I hope we all listen intently to truly understand how inequity, inequality and injustice have caused trauma and pain for young black and brown people,” Hinton addressed the crowd. “Schools and communities that are predominantly black and brown remain woefully underfunded. Black and brown babies continue to be forced into the school to prison pipeline and black and brown people are still being disproportionately impacted at a higher level by COVID and its economic devastation.
“I implore you to think about ways that you can do more to make a difference and end these injustices because each of us has a part to play. We need elected officials to use their platforms to demand change in legislation and policies that will end inequity and inequality,” Hinton added. “We also need voices pushing
for more diversity, equity and inclusion in companies, local governments, school boards, classrooms and board rooms. You need to use your power to lift those voices that have historically been powerless and voiceless.”
Thaddaeus Peay, a member of the NAACP, addressed the crowd about inequitable school funding in black and brown communities.
“This has to stop. We don’t just say ‘Black Lives Matter’ when one of us is killed by a police officer. We say ‘Black Lives Matter’ when we are disproportionately underfunded in our school districts. That’s one way that they continue to oppress us, in the school district,” Peay told the crowd during an impassioned speech. “We cannot be a people who only protest when stuff makes national news. Continue to be the difference in your community and we will see change.
“Elected officials are going to know that we all are going to be committed to ensuring that all school districts and all black and brown students get the funding that they need,” Peay added.
The crowd erupted into chants of “Black Students Matter” as Peay spoke.
Norristown Councilman Hakim Jones said it’s important the community gathered to celebrate the legacy of King.
“It’s really important that we use this day to fight for all the principles and all of the things that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for… treating everybody equally, giving everybody the same opportunities and equal chances to succeed in this world, all of those principles,” Jones said. “It’s extremely important we continue to do the work, continue to fight for our community.”
Other elected officials who attended the march included county Treasurer Jason E. Salus, county Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and county Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny.
Linda Fields, of Pottstown and King of Prussia, the founder of PowerUP PAC, said King left a legacy and that legacy stood on the steps of the courthouse on Monday.
“We are the dream fulfillers and our work is not done. Will you stand for truth and justice?” Fields asked as the crowd responded with a resounding, “Yeah!”
Fields ended the program with a prayer as participants bowed their heads.
“We ask you Lord God, to give us the heart and the mind to obey your word and that is to love one another as we love ourselves. And there’s no room for racism, Father, so we ask each and everyone one of us, let us be not only the voice of MLK but the almighty voice of God,” Fields prayed.
Hinton urged the participants to leave “in love and solidarity” as the event concluded.