Dear Friends, Like you, I am outraged and saddened by what happened to George Floyd this week, but not surprised. This kind of racial violence by police is all too prevalent in our nation, and here in our city. Many of you have probably seen the shocking video of a young Black man named Christopher Ballew who was savagely beaten by Pasadena police and his leg broken, for a routine traffic stop. If you haven't, here's the link. Fair warning. It's very graphic and disturbing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcNaAH5VSHw
Since moving to Northwest Pasadena nine years ago, I have become increasingly aware of the racial profiling that takes place in our city, and the way that racism impacts people of color. Jill and I have taken part in vigils for African Americans who have killed and beaten, and stood in solidarity with their families and friends. This is a time for prayer and reflection, and action.
Take a moment and remember people of color who who have been killed and beaten here in our city and around the nation. Hold their families and friends in your prayers. And say their names, beginning with:
Kendrec McDade, 19-year-old son of Anya Slaughter, killed in 2012 by Pasadena police for allegedly stealing a laptop.
Reginald Thomas, nicknamed “Daddy Daycare,” father of eight children (with another on the way), killed by Pasadena police in 2016.
Christopher Ballew, beaten by Pasadena police for a routine traffic stop in 2018.
As I write this, protests are taking place and violence erupting across our nation.
Tomorrow here in Pasadena, people of faith will be gathering at 7 pm across from City Hall for a candlelight protest. It will be peaceful but not silent. Please take part if you can. And if you can't make it, please light a candle and pray, or go outside and make some noise, for 8 minutes.
Let this be a time to rededicate ourselves to racial justice and equality for all. Please spread the word of this protest with your friends.
CANDLELIGHT PROTEST REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD AND RACIAL INJUSTICE
SUNDAY, MAY 31st @ 7PM
PASADENA CITY HALL (Meet near the Mack and Jackie Robinson statue)
Parking with validation is available at the Holly Street Parking Garage located directly behind First Baptist Church. We invite you to join us Sunday evening for a night of nonviolent action at Pasadena City Hall. We will be wearing masks and observing physical distancing because this action is about the protection of life as sacred. We invite you to bring a candle (real or electric) to light.
SUNDAY, MAY 31st @ 7PM
PASADENA CITY HALL (Meet near the Mack and Jackie Robinson statue)
Parking with validation is available at the Holly Street Parking Garage located directly behind First Baptist Church. We invite you to join us Sunday evening for a night of nonviolent action at Pasadena City Hall. We will be wearing masks and observing physical distancing because this action is about the protection of life as sacred. We invite you to bring a candle (real or electric) to light.
Part of this action will be eight minutes of sustained noise to represent the eight minutes officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on George Floyd's neck, lynching him while his cries were ignored. Please bring something (bells, noisemakers, pots to bang, your voice to wail) to fill the air with sound during that time.
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