The People’s Park on the Newburgh Waterfront was silent as a crowd of a hundred or so people participated in a moment of silence to honor victims of police brutality.

This past Sunday, the City of Newburgh was the site of unity as residents participated in a communal sit in, prayer, and protest.

In the middle of the group of residents of all ages, and backgrounds stood a pole carrying a large peace sign.

“Diversity should be normalized,” said Orange County Legislator Kevindaryán Luján. “I should be looking at a rainbow of colors and rejoicing. What we’re doing today, that should be everyday.”

Like thousands across the nation and the world, the city’s residents are calling for a more just world.

“If you believe black lives matter, put a fist in the air,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey. “Black lives matter! I stand before you as the mayor of the City of Newburgh, New York, and I stand behind this movement as a supporter; as an African American man living in America for 48 years now.”
Harvey is the father of two sons and a daughter.

“I’ve had to have those conversations with them on what to do and how to do it if you encounter a police encounter,” said Harvey. “So I know what that feels like. When I was 16 years old as a new driver, being treated and slammed up across police cars. I know what that feels like.”

Harvey spoke of a common fear; the fear of death at the hands of a police officer. In the wake of the tragic and controversial passings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and more, has come increased calls for accountability.

“I fear for my children because they look Hispanic and they look Black,” said Brittany Campbell, a spiritual healer, mental health and addiction advocate, and writer. Campbell is also a mother of two. Her children are of Mexican, Jamaican, and Caucasian descent.

“You will never ever know that their grandmother is completely white. I now have to talk to my about to be 5 year old son about the things that will happen in his life, the opportunities that he will have less than others around him,” said Campbell.

“Ultimately we’re angry for not being seen as equals to our caucasian counterparts,” said Savy Montoya, a community activist.

“Change is going to come,” yelled Harvey.

Harvey called for a list of demands to improve the nation. He said on the local level that the police community relations board in the City of Newburgh needs to be active. He said the board needs to have citizens that have the power to force legislators to act.

On a national level, Harvey is calling for reparations for slavery. These reparations would compensate the descendants of slavery.

“We have to change this,” said Montoya. “We’re no longer in the 60s. We want justice, we don’t want to condemn the police department. We just want justice for those lives that were taken.”

Montoya is calling for police reform and increased sensitivity training in police departments. Luján is calling for increased representation of marginalized identities in places of power.

“I need you to have the courage,” said Luján. “I know it’s hard because as a young person of color they will always break you down. They will always find a way; you are either too rebellious, or you’re too ambitious, or you’re too black or brown. Let’s be real, we need you to have the courage to lead.”