George Floyd: Spring Valley vigil set to offer a time to mourn, and to plan a better future

SPRING VALLEY – A candlelight vigil in remembrance of victims of police brutality is planned for Thursday evening in Memorial Park.

Like several demonstrations in Rockland and scores around the nation, the impetus of the event was the recent killing of George Floyd who died after a Minneapolis police officer kept a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes. 

But the vigil, organizers say, is in remembrance of all black Americans who have been killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile and many others.

"We've had the protests, but we really haven't been able to grieve," said Willie Trotman, president of the Spring Valley NAACP. "What about that time for solace? It's (an) amazing opportunity to do it as a community."

The vigil, coordinated by the Spring Valley NAACP Young Adult Committee, will also focus on discussions about "where we go from here," Trotman said. Speakers will address ways to improve community relationships and create unity, he said. That includes more training for police, Trotman said, including "Undoing Racism" programs.

The vigil is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are asked to dress in black, bring a candle, wear a face covering and maintain a 6-foot social distance. They are also asked to bring posters.

Trotman said he had spoken with Spring Valley Police Chief Paul Modica Wednesday morning and a police representative will join the speakers.

"Even though the larger message is against police brutality, we come unified as one big family," he said. "We do have the blessing to have a good relationship with our police department."

Police officers will also be at the vigil handing out masks, said Calvin Demetrius of the Spring Valley NAACP Young Adult Committee. "I think that's such a positive message," he said. 

Cousins of Floyd, who reside in Spring Valley and Rockland County, are expected to attend.

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Rockland Coalition to End the New Jim Crow has asked to co-sponsor the event.

"We're in," said Marc Pessin, a member of the coalition's steering committee.

Pessin, vice president of the Martin Luther King Multi-purpose Center in Spring Valley, said it was significant to see recent actions, like the upcoming vigil and a march in Nyack on Monday, led by young people. 

The Spring Valley NAACP's Young Adult Committee's members are ages 18 to 40. The Nyack event, which drew thousands of participants, was organized by the Teen Council of the Nyack Center. 

"It's a whole new generation," Pessin said. 

Pessin said the vigils, marches and protests address a long history that the U.S. has failed to reconcile. "We're still discussing basic human freedoms when it comes to people of color." he said. "This isn't about a couple rotten apples."

"I have a feeling that this is not going to end very quickly," he said. "This seems to be growing."

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland. Support local journalism; go to lohud.com/specialoffer to find out how.