UPDATED: A "Support The Beacon PD" Rally Happened This Past Sunday At Pohill Park and Municipal Building
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Early moments of the Support The Beacon PD rally that happened on 7/19/2020 at Pohill Park and City Hall.
Photo Credit: Steve Jacobs
UPDATE 7/22/2020: After publishing this article which alluded to some people who attended, we shared it on Facebook, which we do with each article. One of the participants of the “Support The Beacon PD” rally commented with a strong request that participants from the Black Lives Matter counter protest be named also. You can read the full exchange here. Parts of the dialogue have been excerpted at right. The “Support The Beacon PD” participant asking for further participant identification was Joe Galbo, who at the time, went by Joseph James in Facebook. He has since updated his Facebook name to be Joseph Galbo. As Joe states, he is a former police officer, and current security guard for Beacon City Schools who was at the “Support The Beacon PD” rally. I know him as Mr. Galbo, as he works in my children’s elementary school.
Because this was an article about the “Support The Beacon PD” rally, we focused on identifying those participants, to give readers an idea of who attended that rally. Attending a rally is a public activity, so anyone who attends it does so, most likely, in pride, and is proud to be identified, in this case, with supporting police officers and agencies.
Attendees of the “Support The Beacon PD” rally.
Photo Credit: Beacon PBA
To answer Mr. Galbo’s request, we highlighted each person he named who attended the counter protest, Black Lives Matter. We spent this week following up with those people named, in order to confirm they attended, and to learn what inspired them to attend. We received responses from all. Their quotes are below. Scroll down.
The “Support The Beacon PD” Rally Origins
On Sunday morning, a “Support The Beacon PD” rally happened, and wrapped up by lunchtime. Organizers included Tom DiCastro Sr., and participants included some from the Beacon Jeep Club, former Mayor Randy Casale, some security guards from the Beacon City School District, and others. A Little Beacon Blog asked Randy why he attended and what message he wanted to get across. His response: “I attended to show our Police officers that I support the work they do in our community. As Mayor I had my difference with the PBA (police union) during negotiations, but I always backed them when they were doing their job. We also made many changes to Department while I was Mayor.”
While it looked like the rally started at City Hall by way of parking, and set up at Pohill Park, another group representing Black Lives Matter and Beacon4BlackLives who has been regularly demonstrating at Pohill Park, were also in attendance but on the opposite side of the street in front of City Hall.
For the past several weeks, the Black Lives Matter movement organized by Beacon4Black Lives has been meeting at Pohill Park as a starting place for their march down Main Street, which usually ends at Memorial Park. This past weekend, there had been no march planned. However, supporters for Black Lives Matter continued to meet at Pohill Park, and according to one of the organizers, Ciarda Hall, were surprised to see the Support The Beacon PD rally participants there. A Little Beacon Blog is reaching out for confirmation as to if Beacon4Black Lives reserves Pohill Park at that time each weekend.
According to a Facebook post made by organizer of Support Beacon PD, Tom DiCastro Sr., the rally may have been originally set to be at City Hall (aka The Municipal Building):
According to the post: “A reminder and change for the Support the Beacon PD and all police agencies on Sunday, 7/19. We will be in the Pohill Park across the street from the Municipal Building. This was a request from the City and I agreed. All attempts to maintain the 6 ft. Social distancing should be made and masks worn if it isn't possible. A patriotic mask would be great. If you can, bring a flag, police or American, supportive signs (nothing derogatory please) and be respectful of others around you. Let's show people our support and the American way.”
Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero has confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog this request, with the following statement, when we asked if the City requested the location: “Yes. Pohill Park is where the City has allowed free speech events and rallies to take place. The City was contacted by the organizers, and after discussion about alternative locations, it was decided to utilize Polhill Park.”
A Little Beacon Blog asked about a reservation sheet, and if an organizational system existed for planning events at Pohill Park. Anthony’s response: “Yes, so there is no conflicts of usage. When permits are issued for demonstrations, the place, time and duration, as well as the number of people to be in attendance are needed information so that the appropriate city services can be planned for and provided.”
UPDATE 7/22/2020: A Little Beacon Blog confirmed with the counter protesters, Beacon4BlackLives, that they had not planned an in-person protest for Sunday. There was no double-booking.
When asked if there were police officers assigned to this rally, Anthony confirmed that they were: “Police officers were assigned specifically for that event to assure public order and a safe environment in which the event could take place. This has been done for all the protests.”
Feedback To City Council About The “Support The Beacon PD” Rally
According to posts in Instagram, driving through the dueling rallies was uncomfortable. One resident said that someone from the “Support Beacon PD” rally called for him to “Go Home.” He responded with: “I am home.” Parking for cars was held at the firehouse across the street from the Municipal Building, in the parking lot of the building, and on the grass there. City Council Member Air Nonken-Rhodes said agreed during their Monday City Council Meeting that the rally situation with both sides protesting at each other was uncomfortable.
Council person Terry Nelson, representing Ward 1, had this to say during this week’s 7/20/2020 City Council meeting: “Several of the public comments that were either read or emailed to the council alluded a couple of unfortunate incidents at yesterday’s Back the Blue rally. The organizers and attendees of that event were exercising their First Amendment rights... So, the Back the Blue rally isn’t the problem. Some of the things their attendees said is what I take issue with. The vitriol displayed is a symptom of an even larger problem. We are at each other’s throats and it is not getting any better. Certain members of our community have taken to social media and have written open letters accusing this council of being anti-police and defunding or disarming the police. If anyone tells you that, they’re either lying or are grossly misinformed. Either way, this kind of rhetoric only serves to divide us.
”As for yesterday’s rally, I acknowledge that there was an Antifa flag and an anti-police banner, but according to an attendee, Beacon4BlackLives were not involved with those individuals, who were not from Beacon, and the sign and flag do not reflect what the Beacon4BlackLives demonstration was trying to relay. Members of B4BL were told to “go back home” among other things. Those kids live here. This is their home and they deserve to be heard. Instead of screaming at them "to go back home,” maybe take 5-10 minutes to listen to what they have to say.”
A Little Beacon Blog has reached out to Beacon Police Benevolent Association (PBA) president, Michael Confield, for his comment on the following questions. Should we hear back, his answers will be updated in this article as well. Those questions are as follows:
ALBB: Did you attend? If so, do you have a comment as to what message you were hoping the demonstration got across?
ALBB: Being that there were counter protesters across the street, which seemed to turn into Blue Lives vs Black Lives, and some people in social media saying: “I side with Blue Lives,” do you think this an issue where people need to take sides?
ALBB: What does the term Black Lives Matter mean to you?
ALBB: What does the term Blue Lives Matter mean to you?
Who Participated In The Black Lives Matter Counter-Protest?
Many people showed up for the Black Lives Matter counter protest. Mr. Galbo named a list of people in the Facebook thread, so we followed up with who he mentioned: “city workers, a Beacon BOE (Board Of Education) member… the wife of a Beacon city police lieutenant…and former ward 4 city council person Ali Muhammad.”
Justice McCray (also goes by Justice Yellow)
Justice Yellow (McCray)
Photo Credit: Justice Yellow (McCray)
Justice is the Co-Creator and Organizer of Beacon4BlackLives and past Black Lives Matter Protests in Beacon. Justice is known for working at the Beacon Public Library, for his committee seat on the Human Relations Commission for Beacon during the days when the Beacon Police Department was being investigated by the federal government. Justice was featured this week on All Things Considered about the Black Lives Matter movement locally.
ALBB: Were you at the rally, and did you have a rally previously organized at Pohill Park? Beacon4BlackLives has been meeting there for several weekends. I thought you did not have a protest scheduled for that weekend? If you were there, what inspired you to attend, and what message did you hope to get across?
“The only thing my team organized and scheduled this past weekend was our virtual community discussion. Beacon4BlackLives did not plan any demonstration on Sunday. However, when I discovered the "back the blue" protest was happening, I was called not too long after and asked to show up and show the community that Black lives still matter. Police are killing Black bodies and that needs to change. In our community, a disproportionate amount of POC have experienced way too many horror stories of police harassment and brutality. The structure of policing is founded on white supremacy and the "back the blue" rally amplified that racist rhetoric when they shouted at me to "go back to where I came from." I'm from Beacon and I've been an active member of the community for a long time. There's a clear divide in our community and I did not feel safe on Sunday. Our community is hurting, and things need to change.”
Ali T. Muhammad
Photo Credit: Ali T. Muhammad
Ali T. Muhammad
Ali T. Muhammad grew up in Beacon and was represented Beacon’s 4th Ward as a City Council member. He currently lives in Newburgh and works within the Hudson Valley advocating for community development through civic engagement and volunteering.
ALBB: Were you at the rally? If you were there, what inspired you to attend, and what message did you hope to get across?
“I was there. The original organizer wanted to have a counter protest and he reached out to a few of us that he had grown up with. We’ve been meeting weekly, around the conversation of creating solutions to dismantle racism and discrimination within our neighborhoods. We reached out to a few allies and a lot of support showed on the sides of our Black Lives Matter movement. I showed up in solidarity with my BIPOC brothers and sisters and white allies and accomplices that put their bodies on the line. I helped lead, which wasn’t the plan. I did speak directing my side and informing the Blue Lives Matter crowd on why all lives matter when Black lives matter. It was intense at times but nothing like in Pleasant Valley the day before. I felt the highlight was our neighbors showing up to stand with us and demonstrate to our other neighbors that times are changing. Move with us or continue to get left behind.”
Bryanne Figlia
Bryanne is an artist, writer, activist and mother. She is married to Beacon’s Lieutenant Figlia, who has participated by sharing his story at an open mic during a past Black Lives Matter protest, and has attended City Council meetings to help describe to the public and council how Beacon’s police department works.
ALBB: Were you at the rally? If you were there, what inspired you to attend, and what message did you hope to get across?
“Put simply, I was there because Black lives matter. Aside from being married to a police officer (which is not an occupation!), I’m an artist, writer and activist who has been engaging in direct action for over a decade, and so I understand the need to respond and stand in solidarity when any counter-movement plans an event. I know that sincere concerns, like wanting to support good officers (and I do!) can often double as cover for bad actors who simply want to assert dominance over the group that has been protesting.
”Despite a notable banner that expressed otherwise, our gathering was not anti-police. It was just an assertion that Black lives always matter, and that we weren’t going to give cover to racism here for any reason. I observed people shouting at us to “go back where you came from,” as well as mocking and jeering at Black military veterans. This type of behavior clearly has nothing to do with supporting law enforcement.
”I know some of us also really saw it as an opportunity to face our neighbors and have those challenging conversations. A group of us from both sides of the street met at the corner and there was a productive discussion. A retired police officer expressed his sorrow about the Black lives he knows were wrongly taken by police violence, a community leader discussed where he believes can work together to combat racism and make positive change, plans to meet again were made - especially with some of the other vitriol, it was a really encouraging moment to witness.”
Reuben Simmons
Reuben Simmons
Photo Credit: Reuben Simmons
Reuben is the founder of the community organization, I Am Beacon, and works for the Highway Department. Previously, Reuben was the Highway Superindenant, but was demoted after a series of events and loopholes. A Little Beacon Blog has a podcast and article coming out about that soon.
ALBB: Were you at the rally? If you were there, what inspired you to attend, and what message did you hope to get across?
“Yes I was there.
”I support peoples right to protest. I work in public service and have worked with our city police department during the course of my job and during many community events. I personally do not see this as an us vs them when it comes to the local BLM supporters and the supporters for our local police department, but unfortunately, I am also aware of the division that has been created in this city by lack of leadership. I feel we are at a defining point in Beacon. As we move forward, Will it be war? or Will it be peace? I want peace. I saw videos on FB of what happened in Pleasant Valley the day before, it was ugly for any community, and I wanted to make sure that did not happen in Beacon. People should have the right to protest (and counter) peacefully. And we demonstrated that on Sunday.
”I think we can move forward working together with respective groups being represented from all sides finding coming ground. However, I did not see anyone there on Sunday who actually sits in a position of leadership to bridge that gap. I find it very dangerous, disturbing, and a threat to our entire community if things continue the way they are currently.”
James Case-Leal
James is on the bottom center of this photo when he was running for a member seat on Beacon’s Board of Education. Ali was also running, as was Mr. Galbo’s wife, Christine.
Photo Credit: Highlands Current
James is on Beacon’s Board of Education and serves on its Policy Committee.
ALBB: Were you at the rally? If you were there, what inspired you to attend, and what message did you hope to get across?
“I stood in front of City Hall on Sunday having lined up the street side-by-side with fellow protesters. We were looking across 9D at our neighbors similarly arranged on their side, looking back at us. We were spacing ourselves out to emphasize our numbers. So were they. I had marched with Black Lives Matter counter protesters to oppose a previously announced “Back the Blue” rally. The 9am sun was already harsh and I envied the shade they had on their side. I heard someone near me start to identify people they knew. "Hey, that guy over there is a stone mason,” I heard a protester say. “He did great work on my house...reasonably priced too" Another person pointed out a man who does their yard service and lamented having to decide whether or not they’d still hire him. A lot of us saw people we know from around town. I imagined they were doing the same to us.
”I have participated in many of the recent marches, rallies, and protests organized by Beacon For Black Lives, a local youth led group working as part of a national civil rights movement. Their events in Beacon have been inclusive, safe, and without any threat of violence. They did not organize this counter protest, but many of the same Beacon residents came out to show support for Black Lives.
”As a college educator, I am very supportive of the many ways young people are now engaging with the political process. I came to the rally to express support for young organizers and stand for the ideals of the BLM movement. I am a life long advocate for this nation's great promise of liberty and justice for all. Sadly, that promise has not been consistently fulfilled for many Americans; particularly Americans who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, particularly for Americans who identify as LGBTQ+, and particularly for Americans who struggle with poverty, health, or disability.
”Our initial plan was to arrive in silence. As we showed up, members from “Back the Blue” began shouting profanities and hate speech, immediately signaling that respect, inclusivity, and safety were not their priorities. While I do believe some attendees had good intentions, what became apparent is that 'Backing the Blue' is also a cover to freely express homophobic slurs and racist innuendos. Individuals taunted the BLM side calling them “sissies” “f*gs” and “pu$$ies”. It was populated by individuals who were freely expressing threats of violence.
”I had seen the former mayor Randy Casale call for this protest on his Facebook page several weeks ago. Tom DiCastro followed his lead and filed the permit for Sunday’s event. I was disappointed to see Casale exploiting the opportunity to settle political grudges. He carried a sign targeting City Council member Dan Aymar-Blair for vocalizing support of BLM on the city council and questioning police practices in Beacon. “DAN AYMAR-BLAIR MUST GO” his sign read under a printed photograph of the council members face. It’s not difficult for me to imagine someone reading it as an implied threat. DiCastro has openly called for violence against protesters on his public Facebook account.
”Black Lives Matter is a movement fighting for justice. When they chanted ‘All Lives Matter,’ we chanted back ‘When Black Lives Matter.’ And this is what’s so disheartening about a rally of white conservatives waving modified U.S. flags chanting “USA!” and “Go back to your home!” to a racially diverse group of people who’s homes are a short walk away. There is nothing anti-America about questioning police spending. The call for racial justice IS patriotism.
”Three weeks ago, I stood in Memorial Park along with a couple hundred protesters spread out to socially distance. It had begun raining while we were marching from Main Street. I was soaked, but didn't notice any more than anyone else seemed to. A young man at a microphone read off names. Names of Black Americans who had been denied justice by a jury of their peers. Names of Black Americans who had been murdered by agents of their government. One by one, members from the crowd brought up bouquets of flowers and laid them in a pile in front. We stood in silence in the rain. I wept.
”There are moments in history when people speak out with a clarity that brings our collective moral condition in to focus. Right now, in Beacon, that clarity is coming from the young voices organizing around Black Lives Matter who call themselves Beacon4BlackLives. I believe in them. I am proud to stand with them. and I will continue to do so.”
