Protest And Protection
Social Media Posting Causes Tension
by Doug La Rocque
All eyes in the Capital Region were on Troy on Sunday, June 7, as upwards of 11,000 people jammed into the downtown section of the city to protest the death of George Floyd while in the custody of the Minneapolis, MN Police Department, and to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. All eyes that is except perhaps of those in Stephentown, where a similar rally took place on grounds adjacent to the former Stephentown Elementary School, while members of the Stephentown Veterans Association closed its park, ostensibly for maintenance, but to also ensure the park was not the victim of any civil unrest.
Approximately 30 people attended the Black Lives Matter event, most carrying signs, wearing masks and social distancing, as one after another spoke of the recent events shedding light on what they labeled as police brutality and racism by many toward minorities.
The first person to speak was Billie Holiday, who equivocated their silence to death, and also said “racism is terrible, but something else is happening now, and it’s right here in Stephentown.” He added, “that is wonderful.” The group spoke for about an hour, while simultaneously about an equal number of people were busy mowing grass, trimming and cleaning the Wall at the Stephentown Veterans Park, on the corner of Routes 22 and 43. There was a chain across the park entrance that said the park was temporarily closed. Veterans Association President John DeFreest told The Eastwick Press, the protesters “had asked for permission to hold their rally at the park, but it was denied, because it was of a political nature.” He explained the park is privately owned by the organization, and no town money that it receives ($2,500 or so) is used toward the park’s upkeep, but instead for veteran’s welfare needs. He also said that when Memorial and Veteran’s Day ceremonies are held there, politicians and elected office holders are not allowed to speak on politics, only on the meaning of the day on hand. He also said that “the men and women who fought for this country, and whose service is honored by their names on the Wall, never asked first about one’s politics, religion or color of skin. They fought for all Americans.”
A Social Media Posting
Caused Some Alarm
Some of those gathered at the park also said they were there to protect their property after seeing a Facebook posting that some who planned civil disobedience, were being bussed in from Boston and would gather at the Veteran’s Park, even going so far as to identify its location as behind Fat Body Custom’s garage. This reporter can confirm the existence of the posting, having seen it myself. Both the veterans and those with the protesters deny they had any part in the matter.
It is important to point out two things. One, no such group ever showed up, and a member of the protesters even carried a sign labeling it as “Fake News.” The second is that after the protest, two members in attendance there came to the park, lifted the chain and attempted to enter, but were immediately stopped by Mr. DeFreet and others, who explained the park was closed for maintenance. One of the two attempting to enter the park said she had flowers to place on the Memorial Wall where the names of Stephentown’s Civil War veterans are enshrined. Mr. DeFreest said he would make sure the flowers were so placed.
The discussion between the protesters and the veterans was at times passionate, but always civil, and the protestors left after nothing more than an exchange of words. The events of the day remained peaceful, as did the protest in Troy. Nine people were arrested there after entering the City Station, dressed in tactical gear and some carrying weapons. They surrendered to members of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department and Troy Police without incident. So far one member of that group has been charged with Second Degree Criminal Possession a weapon.