Report by Paul Antolini, June 3, 2020, 5:03PM EDT
The “Candlelight Vigil for Justice” has been cancelled according to First Selectman Knickerbocker:
Dear Friends and Neighbors, please read this important announcement:
After a great deal of reflection and consultation with people I trust, I have made the very difficult decision to ask that we postpone tomorrow night’s candlelight vigil in honor of George Floyd.
There is one reason and one reason only for my decision, and that is to maintain the safety of those who choose to attend. It is very clear that the pain and anguish caused by Mr. Floyd’s death is still so great, and so raw, that we would likely see many, many more people attend this vigil than could possibly be safely accommodated on the lawn of town hall.
To use real examples, religious leaders in our neighboring town of Wilton scheduled a similar candlelight vigil to honor Mr. Floyd’s life earlier this week. They estimated maybe one-hundred people would attend (which is below the Governor’s threshold for outdoor religious events). In a conference with Wilton officials this afternoon, I learned their actual attendance exceeded 800.
Today’s rally in Danbury, also planned as a short outdoor march, drew over 2,000 people.
Likewise, in Stamford, where a planned peaceful rally is growing to the point that city officials have had to assign 80 additional police officers on special duty to keep them safe.
There is already a great deal of concern on the part of our state and federal health officials over the real possibility of a dangerous spike in COVID-19 infections as a direct result of these rallies and gatherings. As an elected official, I cannot in good faith continue with the plan.
I respectfully ask my fellow Bethel citizens who are deeply committed to the cause of racial justice, as am I, not to come to town hall tomorrow night. As difficult as this is, because so many of you have contacted me asking for an outlet for your grief and frustration, the only conclusion I can come to is to postpone this service to a date when we can be safe, regardless of how many of us wish to attend.
I want to thank our State Representative, Raghib Allie-Brennan for his work to help put this together. I know many people will be very upset with this decision. Do not blame Raghib, blame me. This is something I should have thought through more fully and realized the potential that many, many more people may wish to attend, and I hope you will accept my apologies.
At this time, in lieu of a candlelight vigil, I invite those who wish to do so to stop by town hall at a time of your choosing and leave a small memorial to Mr. Floyd at the gazebo.
I would like to assure you that a vigil will be rescheduled when it is safe. Sadly, the issue of racial injustice is not going away any time soon. I look forward to the day when we can safely mourn and express our fervent commitment to the cause of righting racial injustice in person once again.
Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to this important cause.
Sincerely,
Matt K.
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Original post:
Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and CT State Rep. Raghib Allie Brennan invite you to a “Candlelight Vigil for Justice” on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.,on the CJH Municipal Center lawn, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT..
CT. State Representative Raghib Allie Brennan posted this message:
“Please join Matthew Knickerbocker and I for a peaceful candlelight vigil this Thursday for justice for all the lives lost to police brutality and the fight against institutionalized racism. This is NOT a social gathering. It is an outdoor spiritual gathering where we will strictly observe social distancing. All social distance guidelines have to be followed: masks & face coverings as well as 6 feet apart.
“Signs encouraged and there will be speakers.”
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