Great photos, as always, by Alex Sakes from last night’s South Arlington Vigil and Call to Action:
A powerful display of community solidarity in support of black lives at tonight’s South Arlington Vigil and Call to Action, hosted by: Yolande Kwinana, Black Parents of Arlington, & Delegate Alfonso Lopez.
As we heed tonight’s “call to action” as an Arlington community, I implore all who were present tonight to acquaint themselves with the following groups pushing for the systemic change we seek: Justice Forward Virginia, Arlington Branch NAACP, & Arlington for Justice.
*Please tag your friends & community members!
Also, here’s an account of the even from Matt Royer:
Powerful and moving speeches tonight at the South Arlington Vigil & Call to Action. To see so many familiar faces come together and sit, speak, and sing in solidarity was a refreshing sight to see but it doesn’t end here. Let us continue to take this energy and feeling of community and unity to make the impact and change we want to see happen in our society and reform to the systemic issues we continue to observe. Keep pushing, keep moving forward #BlackLivesMatter
Thank you to the Black Parents of Arlington, Yolande Kwinana, and Alfonso Lopez for putting this event and bringing us together. Something we need to continue to do regularly as a community in Arlington to make sure that we don’t lose sight of the work we have to do.
And from Arlington Democratic School Board endorsee Crinstina Diaz Torres:
“If you’re feeling uncomfortable, you’re on the right track”
Just one of the many excellent reminders today that there is so much more to do to tear down systemic racism and create systems that Black people, Indigenous people and people of color in America to be treated equally. Attending a rally is not enough. Posting on social media is not enough. Even voting in a single election is not enough. This will take consistent and persistent work from partners, allies and leaders across all systems of power, and these are my commitments to continue this work:
I will continue to do the personal work needed to reprogram myself from social conditioning and unpack my own implicit biases and be a better non-black POC ally.
I will continue to interrogate our data, ask how we can break from the status quo, and use my voice to advocate for systems that are truly equitable.
I will continue to listen to our community leaders, amplify their voices and support the organizations on the front lines of this work.
The system was designed to be inequitable. If you’re just joining this effort, welcome. There’s plenty of work for all of us to do.
“”if you’re uncomfortable, you’re on the right track”
Over 100 Arlingtonians came out to Drew Model Elementary School, for a South Arlington Vigil and Call to Action led by Black Parents of Arlington, Yolande Kwinana, and Delegate Alfonso Lopez to engage in anti-racism, the intentional moral, spiritual, and political awakening required to root out inherent systemic injustice.
Students from Flip the Script shared stories from Arlington’s integration. Change was demanded in poetry, reflection and song. Arlington Police shared actions taken to enact police reform, and Justice Forward Virginia outlined what steps needed to come.
[Reflecting on MLK and the 1963 March on Washington] “His time needed the saying, this time is for the doing.” “Figure out your path, but get involved.” (Yolande Kwinana)
Here are just a handful of way shared yesterday that Arlington residents can take action:
– Sign up for Black Parents of Arlington, either as a parent or an ally
– Follow Justice Forward Virginia and Arlington for Justice
– VOTE (register for your absentee ballot at http://www.adamebbin.com/vote-absentee)
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