Coward: Gold Canyon social-justice event held at Jefferson Davis monument
Posted
By David Coward
A summary of the event at the Jefferson Davis monument in Gold Canyon on June 9:
For those of you who were not able to join us today at the George Floyd remembrance at the site of the Jefferson Davis Highway monument marker, here is a little update.
We had 20 brave souls stand in the heat of the day at 1 p.m. to gather and share their thoughts on what this monument to a sad part of our history means to them. There were news media there from Channels 3/5 and 12. Inquiries were made from the Gold Canyon Independent and the Florence Reminder.
The Rev. Dr. Helen Hunter, candidate for legislative district 16 statehouse, made this statement: “Today ... we honor the life and death of George Floyd ... as he is laid in his final resting place ... way too soon ... And we acknowledge and mourn the many others who have died at the hands of those who do not honor the right --- the guaranteed constitutional right --- of every American to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“George Floyd ... A symbol of unnecessary and unjustified use of force --- a symbol of many of the injustices that have plagued our society for hundreds of years. But His death was not in vain his ... murder has made him a martyr. His death has ignited a movement that cannot be stopped ... Americans have decided they’ve had enough ... Excessive use of force by police and our government ... must end ... And not only Americans but people all around the world ...are standing up against racial and social injustice.
“This statue is a reflection and reminder of that injustice ... of institutional slavery and systemic racism in America. ... for 400 years. It is necessary ... it is incumbent upon us --- to replace symbols of brutality, injustice, hate, bias and prejudice ...with symbols of love, honor, empathy, charity, compassion, and respect for one another ... what our flag and our country represent. And so .. we must do our part ... get involved ... March. Organize. Support. Give. Vote. Run for office or help somebody else’s campaign.
“As for my small part --- I’ve worked with Mesa PD for years and served on the use of force committee review for the past year. We’ve made good progress, but there’s still more work to do. I now seek the office of state representative for LD 16 in the AZ House of Representatives. Hopefully, I can help make some changes in legislation and policy that will help eradicate criminal and social injustice for good.
“As we stand in front of this statue ... perhaps ... just maybe ... as a small token of our commitment to liberty and justice for all ... we can work together to replace it ... with something else ... with a monument and a testament to what the USA truly stands for - life, liberty and justice ... for all,” she said.
Delina DiSanto, candidate for Congressional District 4, spoke on how important it is to reform our criminal justice system and how it will take all of us working at the local and national level to fix this unequal system of justice.
Irene Chavez, local activist for Somos America/We are America, spoke as well.
“Somos America who was one of the plaintiffs in the Arpaio V. Melendres case, in which the ACLU sued and won a lawsuit that proved Sheriff Arpaio was racially profiling Mexicans. The lawsuit has cost the citizens of Maricopa County $111M as of April 2019. Every four months they meet with the monitor from the DOJ to see that the mandate of the court is met.
“Sheriff Penzone continues to racially profile by stopping more Mexican drivers than Anglo-Americans. The first thing he tried to do was disband the court-appointed Community Advisory Board. The next was to hold meetings early and far away so we could not attend. Somos America complained to the judge via the ACLU and he was directed to hold the community meetings but also has to be present. Racism is alive and well in Arizona. We have a lot of work to do...”
The event closed with the reading of a poem written for these times by Leslie Dwight:
What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?
What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw ---
That it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us
From our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.
Declare change. Work for change. Become the change.
A year we finally band together, instead of
Pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather
The most important year of them all.
A petition was circulated for people to sign requesting this monument be removed from Gold Canyon.
Efforts will continue to work with the responsible agencies for its removal to a more appropriate venue where it can be viewed in the proper context of its intended purpose in history. If you would like to add your name to this petition please go to forms.gle/9eedQ4EeqhU3Fmxj7.
Editor’s note: David Coward is a resident of Gold Canyon.
