A conversation with Potsdam Protest organizer

By Mahlon Smoke

On May 25, 2020, a viral video shocked and disturbed many showing George Floyd, an African-American man, handcuffed, on the ground, and neck kneeled on for around 9 minutes by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis officer who already had 18 complaints against him. This led to his death and what followed was online outrage to another example of a police officer killing another unarmed black man, but general police brutality. With Covid-19 ravaging the country and pulling the curtain back on all the societal wrongs, millions losing their jobs, barely able to make ends meet, and many minority groups feeling unheard and ignored by the system; Floyd’s death is the straw that broke the camel’s back for many people.

During the last week of May, thousands of angry people gathered in the streets to demand that Chauvin be brought to justice for the murder of Floyd and demand the police be held accountable for their actions and using excessive force. What started as peaceful protests were turned into riots that sparked riots all over the country. From Seattle to Los Angeles, and across to Washington D.C. protesters have been showing their anger at a system they feel has left them behind and voices unheard. While many feel that the riots are unnecessary, others think this is a show of anger and frustration at the current US system that has historically taken advantage and are against people of color.

However, this doesn’t stop people from showing their support for the lives of Black and Brown people who live in fear of the institute that is supposed to serve and protect them. In Potsdam on June 1st, people came together as a community to march together and show that they too will not stand for the police brutality that goes unchecked. Thousands of Potsdam residents gathered from young, old, and from every race, including police officers who walked with the crowd to show that they care and are also part of the community.

Jen Thomas-Bidwell, a mother, grandmother, and activist, organized the march to have the community come together and share solidarity in her community.

“I am honored that so many people showed up, it shows there is love and caring rather than the hate that has been displayed as of late,” Thomas-Bidwell said looking at the large number of protesters who were coming to show their support.

According to the Mayor of Potsdam, Ron Tischler, was the largest gathering of protestors in Potsdam history and just showed him how serious people are taking this issue.

Thomas-Bidwell also addressed that she is seeing so many young people from different backgrounds all coming together for the same cause. She mentioned being a mother and grandmother who just wants her kids to be safe and for the youth of this generation to keep the fight going until people are safe from Police Brutality and other injustices.

Sargent Corbin Gates-Shult, marched with the protesters to show that, while their department is smaller in comparison, they will not let what happened to George Floyd happen in their community.

“What happened to him [George Floyd] was disgraceful and makes me sick!” said Gates-Shult said to his reaction to Floyd’s death.

He mentioned that the Potsdam police department is taking sensitivity training, new de-escalation techniques and other ways to make sure what happened to Floyd would never happen in their community. They are also very understanding of the angry many citizens in the united states feel, believing a lot of it is justified and isn’t bothered by some of the signs.

“People are angry,” he added.

Within this and many other rural and urban cities joining the protests for reform and justice, against the curfew, against looters and rioters, and against people who don’t seem to understand there is a problem. Solidarity in all people is important to many communities to show that police abuse their power and racism in general. In this time of frustrations, unemployment, Covid-19, and many uncertainties; the fight against racism and the fight for justice is what unites all people, and the desire for change.