Greenbelters turned out in significant numbers at various places around town over the weekend to protest violence against people of color. Vigils of unity, solidarity and peace were held at Roosevelt Center, Hanover Parkway, Franklin Park, Greenbelt Community Church and Beltway Plaza, as well as at impromptu neighborhood gatherings including on the Spellman Overpass.
As evening fell in Roosevelt Center on Saturday, a crowd of at least 200 assembled for a Unity gathering, drum circle and candlelight vigil to demonstrate peace and solidarity in the Greenbelt community. The idea was set rolling by Franklin Park resident Carla Johns, who spread the word on social media. Simultaneously, a candlelight vigil was held on Hanover Parkway, led by LaWann Stribling, while a third vigil was held in Franklin Park.
Both community organizers were motivated by a feeling of responsibility towards their family members, friends and neighbors. Stribling believes that such vigils are important for racial unity, “because everyone has to be in this fight for equality. We need the community to support us at 100 percent, and we need the police to understand that you just don’t treat people badly, at all.” Johns stated, “I have family and friends and fellow neighbors who are important to me, and it is important to form a united front and stand up against both equality injustices and police brutality, and racially motivated murders of persons of color.”
Stribling’s family had held a candlelight observance at their home, but wanted to do more. “To me it just wasn’t saying enough. So I was trying to figure out what to do to get the entire community involved. Carla posted about doing a candlelight protest on Crescent Road and I stated I’d like to do the same on this side of Greenbelt so we could still respect COVID spacing and still participate. My children haven’t been anywhere so I was wary about having them around so many people and figured Hanover Parkway is large enough for families to participate peacefully.”
Roosevelt Center
Johns was motivated by vigils that had recently taken place around town, but many people did not know about them until afterward. “From the responses and the shared pictures … I wanted to see how we could go about making it more united. Because Greenbelt is a very diverse community, I thought it was important to bring us all together to stand up together and show our love for our neighbors.” Although the Roosevelt Center event was not sponsored by specific groups or organizations, Johns was encouraged by friends and neighbors who offered help and cheered her on.
At Roosevelt Center, prayers were led by Ric Gordon. Greenbelt Mayor Colin Byrd spoke to encourage those present to stay involved and to spread the message to state level authorities, saying “don’t let up!” Katy Gaughan and Kristen Arant led drumming and showcased a posterboard listing the names of persons of color who have fallen to violence, so that the crowd could say their names in rhythm with the drumming.
After the drum circle, the folks who had gathered proceeded calmly away from Roosevelt Center to line up along Crescent Road, holding their flickering candles in the growing darkness. Councilmember Emmett Jordan led 15 to 20 demonstrators to the Spellman Overpass, where they held candles for about an hour. Jordan stated, “The traffic going in and out of D.C. seemed to notice and appreciate the gesture, as many blew their horns as they passed.”
Stribling urged that the point of these gatherings is to “remember all lives that have suffered by the hands of the police and our flawed criminal justice system and [many] flawed systems. I feel like I have waited my entire life for everyone to stand up to injustice. It seems to me the time is right now; everyone should use their voices to enact permanent change.”
Police Participate
Stribling was initially reluctant to contact Greenbelt police, because she “didn’t want a conflict between the police and residents.” However, when she called Greenbelt police, “Captain Tim White called me back. He was happy that I organized this and wanted to know if it was OK to participate.” White has been present at several gatherings around the city.
At the Saturday night vigil held in Franklin Park at Springhill Lane and Springhill Drive, 20 to 25 attendees gathered. As White stated, “At Franklin Park, the group prayed together and then individuals took turns discussing ways they can be a light in the community. The group (of around 30) on Hanover Parkway lit candles and had conversation. Maryland Delegate Nicole Williams also joined and spoke to the group. “Chief Bowers, myself, and the officers working the night shift were able to attend the events at all three locations. We were honored to stand with our community tonight against racism, inequality and injustice.”
Over the weekend, several young people held a yard sale and bake sale on Rosewood Drive to raise money for bail for protesters as well as the DC Freedom Fighters. As proprietor of Strib’ble Treats Homemade Sweets, Stribling donated baked goods to the sale. (See story on p. 7)
Beltway Plaza
On Sunday morning, the Hope Center Church, a majority Latino church led by pastor Sergio Chavez, obtained permission to hold an outdoor gathering in the parking lot of Beltway Plaza behind Target, with adequate spacing between vehicles. Using tents and a sound system, they were able to hold a unique church meeting, with music and a message from the pastor about the need for social justice.
Also on Sunday, around 100 people gathered for a noon vigil on Crescent Road, including members of Greenbelt Community Church and Mishkan Torah Synagogue. Cars slowed and honked their horns as people demonstrated, sang and held signs on both sides of Crescent Road near the church. Carrying a Black Lives Matter sign, Community Church Pastor Glennyce Grindstaff stated, “we will show the world that for people who use the Bible, the Torah, the Koran, they are not props.” Rabbi Saul Oresky elaborated, “The faith communities come together with a common message, and that common message must be peace and justice for all.”