by Leslie Layton
Sometimes change happens quietly, and sometimes there is a quiet — almost imperceptible –shift in consciousness on a social issue that surprises.
A vigil held on this Memorial Day to remember people killed by law enforcement officers and encourage police reform was organized around the belief that messages can sometimes be heard best when people are quietest. About 50 people gathered for the “Say Their Name” vigil organized by Concerned Citizens for Justice (CC4J) at the Bidwell Park One Mile.
They were encouraged to fan out around the pool to quietly stand with a placard in honor of someone who had been killed by a local law enforcement agency. But the turnout for an event that had been set up quickly was surprisingly high, prompting some to wonder if there should have been an agenda that included more activity.