Return of Planning Board chair
who called police on black protesters
was seen "through the lens of
white privilege," activists say
Activists with the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition are exhorting Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich to veto the County Council's reappointment of Casey Anderson as chair of the County's Planning Board. Anderson has faced criticism for calling in police on African-American protesters at Planning Board meetings over the last two years. Elrich did not endorse Anderson's bid to return for an unprecedented third consecutive term at the board's helm, but has made clear he would not veto the Council's decision.
"For members of the Black and progressive communities who have faced armed police as a result of Casey Anderson actions, Elrich’s reasoning is totally unacceptable and smacks of looking at our lives through the lens of white privilege," the BACC said in a press release. "It is well within Marc Elrich’s authority to veto Anderson’s nomination," Standing Up for Racial Justice - Montgomery County founder Dr. Laurel Hoa said. "After intimidation by armed police of peaceful protesters at the Planning Board, we need to know that Marc Elrich will not tolerate any unnecessary use of police —especially when the police are enforcing systemic discriminatory County policy."
The Rev. Segun Adebayo, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Bethesda, called Anderson's record of calling in "armed police to intimidate unarmed, peaceful protesters" opposing continued desecration of Moses African Cemetery in Bethesda "disqualifying." As a Council member, Elrich was the only among his colleagues to fully support the cause of the cemetery. Now some cemetery activists are alarmed that he will not at least attempt to block Anderson's reappointment, in which the controversial white chairman was chosen over a prominent African-American activist who applied, Brandy Brooks.
"Is there a difference between candidate Elrich and County Executive Elrich?" Rev. Adebayo asked.
"If Mr. Elrich does not use his veto, which Montgomery County voters conferred upon him, he is indeed saying that black lives do not matter!" BACC President Marsha Coleman-Adebayo said.
LOL
ReplyDeleteHold it. Since when do you support the Black Lives Matter movement?
ReplyDeleteSince you cited Laurel Hoa of "Standing Up For Racial Justice", do you agree with her statement about allegations of police brutality in the incident in Aspen Hill last week?
ReplyDeleteHoa: "My thoughts:
1) "Desk duty isn’t good enough, this officer needs to be fired. He clearly lacks all qualities needed to not do harm while doing his job.
2) "What about all the officers who did nothing to stop him? Their inaction was also unacceptable.
3) "The victim was charged with assault—why wasn’t the officer?
4) "This belief is dangerous and unacceptable and needs to change: "Jordan told reporters,
"Using force is, unfortunately, part of a police officer’s job, no matter whether it’s here or anywhere else. What we have to determine is whether the amount of force used was reasonable. We have to determine whether it’s that or whether it’s excessive."""
Did you know that the group badgering Elrich had its original change.org petition photo removed by the platform for copyright infringement? It's not the first time they've violated copyright laws and acted unethically and with mendacity, but hey, everyone's the bad guy and at fault because they can't get what they want.
ReplyDeleteHere they go again.
ReplyDeleteIf they really cared about this alleged cemetery, they would have done these two things:
1. Put a memorial on the church's existing property.
2. Started raising money to buy the land they want the County to give to them for free.
They have done neither, and this has been going on for years. This is a political stunt. They don't care about the alleged cemetery.
Are you like the Alt-Right's mascot?
ReplyDeleteThe cop is Kevin Moris . He has been charged with excessive force and misconduct in office.
ReplyDeleteBut why wont they release his mug shot ?