Words chanted by protestors as they marched through the streets of Teaneck this past Friday included “Hands up, don’t shoot!” “No justice, no peace!” and “Black lives matter!”
With protestors brought together by the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, Teaneck peacefully joined their fellow protests across America to call for justice and an end to police brutality.
The protest was organized by local Teaneck High School graduates and residents. Thousands came out to join in the march. Many brought signs that said, “We have the right to not remain silent,” “Stop police brutality” and “I just want to live,” among others. The march began at Bryant Elementary School with passionate speeches before protestors made their way across Teaneck Road and down Cedar Lane and ended on River Road. A breakaway group approached and stopped traffic on Route 4, shutting down both lanes for about 30 minutes.
“We had a feeling that a lot of people were going to come out, but to see the number that actually came made me really proud of my town, as I usually am,” said Nicholas Wilkerson, one of the organizers, along with Leah Coles, Destiny Médina and Alicia Patino. “The march was great, but this was also the first step. There is still a lot of work to be done, but people were very willing to continue to help out in whatever way they could. That gives me hope, and to see the community come together the way it did is really just incredible.
Many residents lined the sidewalks in a display of solidarity. Sara and Avi Schwartz and their son, Noam, watched the parade from their home on Teaneck Road, holding signs to show their support.
Local businesses passed out water bottles, snacks and sodas; individuals showed their solidarity by applauding and raising their fists. For blocks on end people filled the streets, adding their voices to the chants.
While George Floyd’s name was on many people’s minds, the names of Breonna Taylor and Phillip Pannell were as well. Taylor was a black EMT who dreamed of becoming a nurse. She was killed when police allegedly entered her apartment with a no-knock search warrant and exchanged gunfire with her boyfriend, who thought the police were intruders. Taylor’s birthday was on the day of the protest. She would have been 27.
Pannell was a black 16-year-old who was shot and killed by white officer Gary Spath in Teaneck in 1990, an act that spurred many protests. Both his mother and sister spoke before the march.
“Teaneck is great and it’s diverse but at the same time we also need to hold everyone accountable,” Wilkerson said. “Remembering and knowing Phillip’s name is important because it happened here. It happened in Teaneck. By sharing his name we remind people that if it happened once, it can happen again. And if you want to help, be an ally, make sure you’re voting and holding those people accountable. That’s the main goal of what we’re trying to do.”
Elie Katz, Teaneck’s deputy mayor, attended the march and helped promote the protest among the Jewish community. Thanks in part to his efforts, there was a noticeably strong Jewish presence.
“Teaneck did it right,” Katz said. “We showed the rest of the country how peaceful protest and community unity should be done. I am proud of the leadership that was shown by the organizers, and I want them to know that we stand beside them.”
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.
