June 2020 Mahwah, NJ-The community gathered Saturday for a Black Lives Matter protest, unlike any in the town’s history, drawing over 200
attendees. As the nation continues to reverberate with protests, calling attention to the systemic racism affecting African Americans, Mahwah is adding its name to the growing list of Bergen County towns, pushing for change.

The program opened with live music by local musician Jay Mickens and ended with the Bramshill Band, was led by the Reverend Lemuel Brown of
the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church of Ridgewood and the co-chair of the MLK Committee, who officiated the Ridgewood BLM Protest. As Reverend Brown
welcomed each speaker, he also inserted his very singular voice into the conversation. The first notable speaker was the first African American Sheriff of Bergen County, Anthony Cureton, who noted that “As a law enforcement practitioner, I can say that you’re there to support the law enforcement and help us and remind us what the purpose is and that is to serve.”

A few have questioned the necessity of these protests and the validity of the Black Lives Matter movement. Local faith leaders helped to tackle this question, including Mahwah’s Reverend Kenneth Heyman of Mt. Zion AME Zion responds, “If you’re ok with All Lives Matter, and you’re ok with Blue Lives Matter, but you’re not ok with Black Lives
Matter, your problem must be with the word Black.”

To further expound on the need for increased awareness and engagement, NJ-5 candidate, Glen Rock Council member and neuroscientist, Arati Kreibich, offered her view. “Black communities have always been in pain and Black folks are exhausted. The protests and vigils across the country show the deep anger and despair. The despair, the frustration, the anger is a culmination of centuries of racism and police brutality and systemic inequities in our country. This fight for justice,
equality and racism needs all of us to stand up, to speak up and then to act.”

The grassroots work of raising awareness about systemic racism and inequalities experienced by African Americans because of centuries of slavery is being matched by legislation efforts at official recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday to commemorate the end of slavery.

Elected officials continued to add their voices to the Protest lineup, noting that they are looking to pass legislation that would recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday for celebration and education.

“Yesterday we observed Juneteenth to celebrate the end of slavery in America and with legislation that we must pass this week to fully commemorate and observe that day. For the people in my position, now is the time for us to listen, not just speak, to hear the frustrations and challenges that have gone on far too long. We have to do more, whether it’s economic inequality, educational inequality, health disparities- this must be the beginning and not the end,” assured Rep. Josh Gottheimer, NJ-5.

Ana Armandariz, a Mahwah High School student, addressed the need for non-diverse spaces to acknowledge the privilege attached to not having
to experience discrimination first-hand.

“Mahwah is 73% White and only 2.6% Black. As a result of redlining and decades of housing discrimination, our neighborhood, like many others, is predominately White. The majority of us aren’t exposed to ongoing systems of discrimination and oppression. However, this does not justify using your privilege to turn a blind eye to racism and to be ignorant.” Ms. Armandariz has plans for continued community engagement.

Keynote speaker and Ridgewood YMCA CEO, Mr. Ernest Lamour summed up the mission of the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting, “Black Lives Matter isn’t an assault on all lives matter. BLM gives a space and a voice to those who have been marginalized and pushed to the edge; whose dignity and humanity has been sacrificed by racism so ingrained in our society today. BLM doesn’t seek to take from one to give to another, as this is the definition of the racism we so desperately want to eradicate, rather validates each and every life as worthy of the privilege and opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Mahwah Alliance for Change will continue to push for greater awareness about discrimination and systemic racism towards African Americans by asking the Mayor and Town Council to officially recognize Juneteenth, adding to the work elected officials are doing to continue towards this goal.