Coatesville comes out to support Travon Martin
By Jamie Richard, Staff Writer, CoatesvilleTimes.com
Coatesville City Council Vice President Joseph Hamrick addresses crowd alongside council member C. Arvilla Hunt and the Rev. Floyd Narcisse.
COATESVILLE – “Equal protection under the law.” That was the motto for Saturday’s rally in Coatesville held in honor of slain Fla. teen Trayvon Martin. Martin, 17, was shot and killed on Feb. 26 by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Zimmerman claims to have shot Martin in self-defense, the circumstances of which have caused nationwide debate and controversy.
The rally began at 10 a.m. on the corner of 1st Ave. and E. Lincoln Hwy. The rally was organized by the Rev. Floyd Narcisse, senior minister at Bethel AME Church, and the Rev. Rashad Grove, associate minister at New Life in Christ Church. According to Narcisse, the rally was about raising community awareness and encouraging people to protest against social injustice.
“It’s about a recognition of systemic evil. There is wickedness in high places,” said Narcisse.
Community members arrived wearing hoodies and carrying iced tea and Skittles in honor of Martin; several carried posters and signs while others passed out nametag stickers with Martin’s name on them. The rally featured several guest speakers as well as poetry readings from Scott Middle School students.
Guest speaker Eugenia Roberts, principal at the Coatesville Area School District Alternative Education Program, delivered a speech in which she encouraged the audience to remain positive.
“Use this tragedy as a reason to keep hope alive,” said Roberts. “You can be the change agent because you have the power.”
School board member Dr. Tanya Thames Taylor helped manage the rally, providing updates on the events in Fla. and reaffirming the rally’s intent between speakers.
“We are assembling because we are rallying for our rights…we have a duty, right and obligation to rally,” said Taylor.
Several members of the city council also attended the rally to show their support and offer their insights to the audience. Vice President Joseph Hamrick read off prepared remarks in which he warned residents to speak out against injustice, lest a similar event occur in Coatesville.
“This is the time to speak up…if it could happen in Florida, it could happen in Coatesville,” said Hamrick.
Council member Jarrell Brazzle directed his comments to the youth and students in attendance, encouraging them to take an active role in their community.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something…you can anything you put your mind to,” said Brazzle. “Nothing will change without your voice; you have the power.”
