‘Justice For Floyd’ Rally
Planned in Cooperstown
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Following the outpouring of support at the Oneonta “Justice for George Floyd” rally, a second such protest has been scheduled for Cooperstown at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7 in front of the Otsego County Courthouse.
“I was approached by my friend Maria Noto to help organize the protest,” said Village Trustee MacGuire Benton, who was at Sunday’s protest. “And I never say no to social justice.”
Face masks will be required, and social distancing enforced wherever possible. Protesters are encouraged to bring signs, and Benton said that donations will be collected for the Oneonta Area NAACP and the ACLU.
“Protest is important, but we need to take actionable, concrete steps,” he said. “And The NAACP and ACLU take those steps every day.”
Rev. LaDana Clark is scheduled to speak, and additional speakers will be announced as they are confirmed, said Benton.
“This protest is about solidarity,” he said. “It’s inspirational, and it’s necessary.”
How will they enforce social distancing? Every other activity and event in this village has been cancelled or postponed including the Memorial Day Parade. Why is this different?
In addition to wearing masks and social distancing Phase 2 crowd sizes are strictly limited to 50 people. Will the police be dispersing attendees in excess of 50 people? How are the organizers ensuring under 50 are attending if it is a public invitation?
James Cooper, phase 2 reopening only happened last weekend – too late for the Memorial Day parade. Also parades (by design) involve crowds of spectators along the parade route, a protest at the courthouse does not. Yes, the police have the authority to cap this protest at 50 people.
I hear your concerns about public safety, and agree, but wonder if your safety concerns are masking a dislike of anti-police-brutality protests in general, instead of indicating an even-handed desire to let all parades and peaceful protests occur, regardless of their political resonances. If COVID weren’t a concern, would you be in favor of people peacefully expressing these opinions in their public spaces?