AMHERST – A Black Lives Matter banner will be displayed over South Pleasant Street beginning Monday, with a dedication ceremony that will include Police Chief Scott Livingstone.
Russ Vernon-Jones, a leader of the Coming Together social justice and anti-racism project, said the community should be proud that Amherst’s top law enforcement official will be part of the noon dedication and offer a few comments alongside Barbara Love, professor emeritus in the Social Justice Education program at the University of Massachusetts.
“I think it’s very significant the chief of police takes these matters seriously and wants to be part of this acknowledgement that his department is committed to racial justice,” Vernon-Jones said.
At 7 p.m. Monday in the First Congregational Church dining room, 165 Main St., a panel of local activists, including high school and college students, professors and community leaders, will offer their perspectives during the “Community Forum on Black Lives Matter.”
The speakers will include University of Massachusetts professors Whitney Battle-Baptiste and Amilcar Shabaaz, Amherst School Committee member Vira Douangmany Cage and high school students Nurah Juradat and Viseth Loeung.
Vernon-Jones said he hopes the weeklong display of the banner is not seen as an attack on or criticism of the Amherst Police Department, but rather an element in addressing issues of criminal justice for racial minorities, which are of great concern on a national level.
“We want our town to be prepared to prevent the sort of tragedies that have happened elsewhere,” Vernon-Jones said.
The movement is also about promoting economic opportunity and health and safety for black Americans.
Interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner said it is appropriate to have the banner displayed and meets the values of the community.
Vernon-Jones said Black Lives Matter yard signs are available through Coming Together’s website, coming-together.org. So far, the organization has distributed about 80 signs, which he said residents are using as a springboard for conversation about the topic.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com
