Organizers of a Black Lives Matter protest scheduled to take place this coming weekend at Sunnidale Park hope the bigger space will attract a lot of people to continue the cause started months ago.
The Simcoe County-Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 1-5 p.m.
Aleesha Gostkowski was one of the organizers of the Innisfil Black Lives Matter rally in June. The 23-year-old told BarrieToday that seeing hate in her own community made her want to do something to bring awareness and, possibly, healing.
“A few months ago, I saw really racist and derogatory comments on some Alcona and Innisfil Facebook groups,” said Gostkowski. “It really bothered me and I felt compelled to act in some way.
"I don’t want my community to be filled with such hate.”
The Innisfil event saw approximately 200 people in attendance.
Gostkowski and her team hope that an event in the wide-open Sunnidale Park will draw even more people.
“We were happy with the 200 people, but we also think that some people were concerned with social distancing and stayed away. Sunnidale Park allows for a lot of personal space in a beautiful area,” said Gostkowski. “We want people to grab their masks, make a sign and come out for a peaceful protest to say we won’t have hate in our cities anymore.”
The 2020 Black Lives Matter protests began throughout the U.S. on May 26, a day after the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white Minneaplois police officer. The officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, despite pleas from Floyd that he couldn't breathe.
Chauvin was arrested on May 29 and eventually charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Gostkowski says she has seen change already, but is hoping for more.
“I know Innisfil council has been talking a lot more about the issues and that is a good start. We want this upcoming event to include politicians from Barrie and everywhere in Simcoe County,” said Gostkowski. “They are needed for the type of change we need and we have invited many of them out.”
The event will have speakers sharing their stories, live music, art displays and food. Social distancing will be in place and organizers ask for people to wear masks. The event will also be streamed live.
Gostkowski hopes that helpful conversation can occur at the event and, despite what she has seen online, believes that social-media activism is just as important for the cause.
“I encourage social-media activism and know how crucial it can be when done correctly,” Gostkowski said. “I suggest to anyone trying to explain their thoughts to others to take what people say with a grain of salt. There are a lot of trolls who only want to reel you in to an argument and that takes away from the positivity of what this should be all about.”
More information can be found at the event Facebook page.
