Opinion: I Regret That This Is The Way It Is

All American atrocities were once protected by the law. Slavery, segregation, lack of women’s rights, child labor, and the list goes on. The law, similar to policies, procedures, regulations, bylaws, and charters, has been used historically as a tool to enable those in power to continue to stay in power. The October 17 Town Council meeting was an extension of history that continues to repeat itself in Amherst, a history that represses the voices of residents who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and specifically those of whom have been harmed by town departments and entities. 

The Community Safety Social Justice Committee (CSSJC) was charged by the Town Council to work to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and community safety in Amherst. The Committee’s role is to provide advice and support to all town government entities including the Town Council, Town Manager, and town committees to fully realize the Resolution Affirming the Town of Amherst’s Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equity for Black Residents” adopted by the Town Council in December 2020.

On July 5, 2022 a video of nine youths and two Amherst Police Department (APD) officers went viral with thousands of views. Community members got to see first-hand the treatment our youth received from the APD.  The youths were waiting for assistance for a flat tire fix when they were approached by the APD. In the viral video, there is an alarming portion where an officer tells young people “you have no rights”.  Following July 5, there has been no resolution to this incident, no apology, no accountability, and as a result, no clear path to move forward. The young people who experienced this incident have gone on to share their stories with the CCSJC. Consequently, the CSSJC has gone to great lengths to advocate on behalf of these nine youths over the last two months as their charge is specifically to advance community safety for all in Amherst. 

The Town Council meeting on the 17th included the CSSJC on the agenda, with the intention of continuing a hard conversation around how we move forward from the harmful actions of the APD. During this conversation, a Town Councilor, invoked a provision of the town charter, that empowered her to immediately halt debate on a motion offered by anothe council member that offered a path forward. The discussion that was started after July 5 has continued to be postponed. 

In December of 2020 the Town Council passed a Resolution Affirming the Town of Amherst’s Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equality for Black Residents, stating:

The Town of Amherst embraces its racial diversity and seeks to continue to implement policies and procedures that address racial equity and social justice consistent with the Town Council Resolution in the Aftermath of the Murder of Mr. George Floyd adopted on June 1, 2020

Integrity is when actions and words are in constant alignment. The divisive use of the town charter to silence a hard conversation around harm caused by the APD was the furthest thing from aligning with this resolution. While I hold utmost respect for all people who serve in local government, this meeting illustrated the  mindset that things have  always been done this way so we are going to continue to do them this way; a mindset that allows white supremacy to thrive within the town government and holds us back from progress. 

With that said, it is clear the town charter needs to be revisited and to be reviewed through an equity lens to ensure that all voices are welcome and heard at Town Council meetings, and especially those invited. It is also clear that the APD’s Collective Bargaining Agreement needs to be revisited as advised by the Community Safety Working Group. We need a third party of dedicated community members to provide victims of this department a safe space to voice concerns and complaints, and we need to have the resources to repair the harm caused. We can move forward, but not without transparency and accountability. 

The Town Council made a bold step and a statement forward in December 2020 with their commitment to dismantle white supremacy here in Amherst. I hope to see Town Councilors fight for progress on their agreed words and to stand behind accountability. Accountability is expediting the creation and sovereignty of a Resident Oversight Board, listening and adhering to the committee charged with and working diligently to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, and to providing a revenue stream that affords victims of the APD the compensation they deserve to heal.

Brianna Owen is a resident of District One and was the Co-Chair of Amherst’s Community Safety Working Group