A call for change, action, unity: About 300 attend Black Lives Matter gathering in New Kensington

New Kensington’s police station turned into the “people’s station” for a few hours Saturday afternoon as about 300 people took over the city hall parking lot for a Black Lives Matter protest.

“This is the people’s station,” said Don Arner, resident and former professional wrestler, referencing Seattle protesters’ autonomous zone. “You signed up to be a police officer. I didn’t sign up to be black.”

Protests have been held across the country since George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes on Memorial Day. On Saturday, there also were two large marches through several Pittsburgh neighborhoods and a vigil in Greensburg.

Some of the protests nationwide have turned violent, with protesters lashing out at police.

None of that negativity was shown at the New Kensington event along the 300 block of 11th Avenue.

Arner and several speakers thanked the police for their service while mixing in messages of accountability and transparency.

“You are to enforce the law, but you are not above the law,” said Jerry Jefferson of World Overcomers Ministry. “You guys have a crazy job. I understand adrenaline. I understand what it’s like to be in a tussle. But, if you’ve been put in that position, if you signed up for it, then you’re held to a higher standard.

“If you’re actually working to enforce the law and improve our community, not by being a lord over it but by working to grow relationships, by working to develop and ingrain yourself into the community, then I thank you.”

The protest began around 2:20 p.m. with chants of “Hands up, don’t shoot,” “Black lives, they matter here” and “I can’t breathe.”

The crowd steadily grew, with people showing up in black T-shirts with the words “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” written across them. Signs with the same wordings as well as “say their names” and “white silence is violence” were held high by people ranging from 6 to 60 years old.

The Rev. Ronald White, 68, of Canaan Outreach Ministries talked about the importance of getting young people involved in social change.

“I’m ready to stand with our young people,” he said. “You make me so proud to look around here and see all you young people. It’s very important. I know growing up here in New Ken, we had a lot of friends. We just had our 50th reunion. … It’s time for you young people to speak up and let them know. Don’t be silenced any more. If you need some help, call on us.”

Organizer Aaron Moore talked about the need to get out and vote, to carry momentum from the protests to create real change once the demonstrations stop.

“It’s time our community starts coming together,” said Moore, a New Kensington native who lives in Arnold. “It’s all about community. It’s all about action.

“We can have protests, and protests are cool. But it’s the work afterward. It’s a lot. We have to learn how to organize, mobilize to get things done and stay consistent.”

Protesters surrounded city hall, many taking a knee and parents holding their children, for a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin held a knee on Floyd’s neck in video captured of the incident.

Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” broke the moment of silence when the time was up.

Yvette Johnson of Washington Township made the trek to New Kensington to promote equality and put the movement in perspective.

“When we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ we don’t mean that we’re better than anybody else,” she said. “What we mean is we just want to be treated as humans. We want to have the same privileges as anybody else. That’s what we mean by Black Lives Matter or taking a knee. It’s not about disrespect. It’s about equality.”

New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo knelt with fellow participants. He announced earlier in the protest that the city was forming a community development committee to review and help make improvements to policing, mental health, addiction and economic and employment issues.

He said the idea of the committee was raised several months ago prior to the covid-19 pandemic. Floyd’s tragic end, as well as that of Breonna Taylor and others affected by systematic racism, made it more urgent.

“We must do this now,” Guzzo said. “We must make the changes that endure so that current and future generations will never have to have this conversation again. Let’s do this now. We are one, no matter the color of our skin.”

Moore said he wants to be on that committee. He was impressed by Saturday’s turnout.

“It was amazing, and I’m proud of this community,” he said. “I know moving forward that we can make some change and work with our community leaders, mayor, city council to make a change. That’s where the work comes.”

A new wreath was placed at a memorial for New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw before the protest formally kicked off. Shaw was shot and killed while on duty in November 2017.

The memorial is a few feet away from the police station.

“God rest his soul,” Arner said. “He would have supported this.”

Last November, a Westmoreland County jury convicted Rahmael Holt of killing Shaw and sentenced him to death.