Dear Neighbors:

“Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for rights,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr famously said. It’s in that spirit that I would like to congratulate the young organizers of the “Protest by The Black Student Activists of Croton & More.”
Last Friday, students including a trio of young women (Khadia, Maliha and Paige), organized a peaceful demonstration to, in the words of the organizers,: “[i]n light of the never ending history of black oppression..to fight against police brutality and systemic racism.” This was an independent, grassroots, youth-led demonstration with the student organizers determining 100% of the program–which included speakers ranging from students to social workers to the Deputy County Executive.
You may or may not you fully agree with the message of these young activists and their supporters. Nevertheless, their message is one that we, including the local public officials who were in attendance (including County Legislator Catherine Borgia, members of the School Board and some of my colleagues on the Board of Trustees) and private citizens, should all take seriously.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor