HARRISBURG, Pa. — For the second year in a row, people marched in a fight against injustice and gun violence as they walked for nearly a mile from the Capitol steps in Harrisburg down 3rd street.
"We need new leadership. We need people who care. We need people for the people," said organizer Ralph Rodriguez Sr. who stressed the march wasn't just about police reform but also resolving inequalities in communities and curbing gun violence.
Last year, the event drew large-scale attention after the Governor, police commissioner, and Mayor joined the march as demonstrations grew following the death of George Floyd.
"It's really important for the community to start working together and start working towards a shared vision," said Gary Fallings who noted that he lost his father and several family members to gun violence.
With cloudy and rainy skies Thursday the protest did not draw the large crowd of hundreds that it drew in 2020. Organizers said that underscores another important component of their message: to stay proactive.
"It's too often that people are reactive and wait for things to happen. Today's rally is all about being proactive and acting before things start," said Fallings.
Rodriguez noted that shortly after the 2020 march and other demonstrations last summer, Governor Wolf signed police reform into law in the form of H.B. 1841 and 1910.
"My main message would just be don't forget," said Rodriguez said. "Police reform isn't this mythological creature that could never happen. It actually has happened and it happened here in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and we need to be proud of that."
He also expressed support for Harrisburg's bill 8 and the establishment of a Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
"I would really like to see more teeth in our bill 8. And, once we have our citizens review board that will help be a liaison between our police department and our citizens," he said.
Several other police reform measures, including a ban on chokeholds, have recently been introduced by Democrats in Pennsylvania along with systemic equity reforms across several departments in the state.
The march is organized by "Be A Man" in collaboration with "All You Can Inc."
Governor Tom Wolf released this statement on the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd:
“One year ago, George Floyd was murdered and his death, made public through video, shocked the world. His tragic death was completely avoidable, and it brought together people of all backgrounds to speak out, to protest this injustice, and to seek comprehensive reforms.
One year later, the journey to address injustice and inequality continues. Here in Pennsylvania, we are taking steps to address law enforcement reform and accountability through the creation of the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission. This commission was created after Floyd’s death to explore how to improve policing practices and rebuild relationships within our communities. Last year I signed into law unanimously passed legislation that requires a thorough background check for law enforcement applicants prior to being employed and requires a law enforcement agency to disclose employment information and require mental health evaluations with a focus on PTSD of law enforcement officers as a condition of continued employment.
We still have more work to do. I thank our community leaders for their efforts at the local level as well as our advisory commission for their ongoing work.
Together, we must all vow to take steps to ensure a more just and peaceful society. I’m committed to working with residents, communities, Black leaders, law enforcement, and the General Assembly to ensure peace, security, and, equality for all Pennsylvanians.”