A ‘Vigil For Black Lives’ hosted by “Brown Folx 4 Black Lives” and The Greenlining Institute was held on Tuesday at 360 14th St. According to organizers, there were a few hundred people in attendance. The crowd practiced social distancing.

Danzantes Aztecas blessed the streets, which are on Ohlone ground.

Olga Talamante, with board members of the Chicana Latina Foundation, National Center for Lesbian Rights and Greenlining Institute, the co-sponsor of the vigil, spoke and said of social distancing that it was “six feet of power.” 

She introduced Debra Gore-Mann, president and CEO of Greenlining Institute and added:  “This is not a Black and white issue, it’s a right or wrong issue. … We are asking for equitable application under the law. Greenlining brings together a coalition to fight for causes.”

Gore-Mann encouraged folks to text, BREONNA, FLOYD and demands to Color of Change at 55156 to get involved.

Talamante then introduced Angela Davis, who spoke in front of a mural titled ‘Black Lives Are Sacred.’

Davis spoke of the “history of Black and Brown unity” and that she would not be free from the San Jose Courthouse after her trial nearly 50 years ago if not for the Chicano/Latino communities.  She spoke of Black Liberation and the Farmworkers Union movements and honored the work of Delores Huerta and the late Cesar Chavez.

She noted that people all over the world are joining in demonstrations in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and in opposition to police brutality.

She spoke of the repression by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the desire for a new day when the prison industrial complex is abolished and we can “secure safety of LGBTQ communities.”

Kiki

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