Mahwah Faith Leaders, Elected Officials and Community To Gather for
Black Lives Matter Protest

June 2020 Mahwah, NJ- Hundreds of thousands are turning out to raise
their voices together from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Queens, NY and
kneeling in unison from Honolulu, Hawaii to Orlando, Florida and the
message is clear: Black Lives Matter. As the nation pulsates with the
beat of protests calling out racism and violence, Bergen County, New
Jersey has been keeping pace with its own rallies, marches and
solidarity events. The Mahwah community will gather to show support
for the Black Lives Matter movement and to proclaim that racial and
social injustice will not have a home in town.

Area faith chaplains, elected officials including Josh Gottheimer and
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Candidate for NJ-5 Arati
Kreibich and community members are expected to peacefully gather for
speeches, solidarity and a strong desire to start work towards ending
mistreatment of African Americans. The Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Glen
Rock has offered to generously donate refreshments and local musicians
and spoken word by the youth will present to inspire and educate. The
Mahwah Police Department that has worked hard to get to know their
local community and has especially focused positive efforts for
children through partnerships such as The Mahwah Junior Police Academy
and inviting Scout troops for tours, is expected to be a reassuring
presence. Amongst the voices emerging to decry the importance of this
moment are local Mahwah citizens and community organizers.

“Millions of Americans are finally realizing it is not enough to
simply NOT be racist. We have to take action to be anti-racist. We
have to learn, we have to engage with people who don’t look like us,
we have to be uncomfortable, we have to challenge our own beliefs and
we have to call on others to do the same,” says Mahwah citizen Anne
Powley.

The people most often hurt by the systemic violence towards their
communities include Black mothers who are concerned for the well being
and safety of their children. The grief of those women who have lost
their loved ones and the fear so acutely felt by others is rarely
magnified enough on public platforms to be accessible to those who
don’t experience racially motivated discrimination and violence.

“There is no greater fear than raising Black children, Black boys, in
America. I want my kids to be judged on their character not on the
color of their skin. We are more than our color,” professes Mahwah
mom, Odette Hirschinger.

As for what can be done by citizens to work towards allyship in the
struggle for racial equality that is still not over, there’s a strong
sense that working together as a community to listen, learn and teach
the younger generation to strive further is of paramount importance.
Starting with protests to raise awareness and call attention to
injustice is the first step in the fight for racial equity. Local
faith leaders have added their voices to this important conversation.

“Compassion is more than a feeling. Real compassion is about seeking
justice for those who cry out to be seen and heard,” proclaims Pastor
Steve Huston of the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey.

Many at this moment are reeling from the images of violence directed
towards African Americans that we are finally being forced to contend
with as we shelter in place in our homes and safe spaces. There is
also the sense that the road ahead towards a fairer society lies in
how we treat each other and educate our children.

“The path towards greater racial equality hinges on how we nurture our
relationships with each other which includes listening when African
Americans and People of Color speak about the discrimination they
routinely experience. The communities our children will inherit depend
on the work we do to uplift all the diverse voices. At this moment, we
must come together to amplify Black voices. We need to be vociferous
in teaching our children not only to be kind but to be anti-racist”
says local Mahwah mother, Nadia Khan.

Maybe it will be the mothers in our communities who will take up this
call and drive change forward.

It is after all, they who nurture, protect and teach their children
and others to create more just and more perfect spaces for everyone to
inhabit.

“I pray for the day when my humanity will prevail and my son, other
Black boys and men will not be judged by the color of their skin but
rather by their character. Black lives have purpose, let’s inspire
purpose rather than fear. Black Lives Matter,” says Cecile Johnson, a
hopeful mother in Mahwah.

Attendees will gather at Commodore Perry park at 11 AM for a peaceful
protest. Social distancing is strongly encouraged and masks are
required.