Racial justice group meets on second anniversary of George Floyd's killing

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Two years after a Minneapolis police officer killed an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, Citizens for Racial Justice & Reform of Tuscarawas County gathered to watch a film at Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

"It’s hard to believe it’s been just two years, and despite the enormous outcry from people around the world demanding changes to policing in America, unarmed and oftentimes completely innocent people continue to die at the hands of law enforcement around our country, and it can feel like we’ve made no progress or even regressed in some ways," said group member Hannah Hartman.

The racial justice group invited the general public to a free showing of "The Hate U Give," which is about the killing of an unarmed Black teenager by a police officer.

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"Our cries for justice continue because the problem persists," Hartman said. "Every time we hear another story about a person shot by police who did not need to die, our hearts break all over again as we are reminded just how little has been done to solve the problem. We may not be able to do much as a small social justice group in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, but we feel it is important not to be silent in these times because we know the problem will not go away by ignoring it."

When did the racial justice group form?

Jenna Grimes of Strasburg said the racial justice group formed shortly after a protest over Floyd's death was held in downtown New Philadelphia on May 31, 2020.

"When I saw the amount of people that were out there ... I thought, 'Wow, we can harness this energy and put it in a positive direction.' People obviously want to be involved in some capacity. Then we can maybe make some positive changes right here in our community or at least talk about the issues that minority groups are facing in Tuscarawas County."

Members credited for work of the group

She said the group's work would not have been possible without the active participation of members. At the outset, they joined virtual bi-weekly meetings on Zoom due to COVID-19.

Mallory Gerstacker of New Philadelphia said she joined the group because it gave her the chance to interact with people during the pandemic lockdown.

"I was really desperate for some community with like-minded people," said Gerstacker, who is Hartman's sister and half of their musical duo Kodachrome Babies.

She said the group has been able to aid people in specific racial situations by guiding them to the right people, and has helped others brainstorm about problems, such as those encountered at work.

"We are ready to help (however) we can help," Gerstacker said. "We're not looking for problems, but folks come to us when they feel like they need some more people on their team."

An art educator, Gerstacker uses her creative skills to make graphics, patches and buttons for the group. One popular item is a handmade patch that says "K'iche' o Ixil?" a reference to two dialects spoken by some local Guatemalan immigrants. She plans to help a Dover Middle School class make their own in the next school year.

Kari Sommers of Dover said she enjoys being in the racial justice group because it gives her the opportunity interact with like-minded people. She wants to make the community more tolerant and accepting in the hope that it will make her children, ages 10, 8 and 3, want to stay here as adults.

"I try to tell my kids we need to accept everyone, and we need to look out for people who don't have the privileges that we have," Sommers said. "And hopefully we can make a difference in Tuscarawas County."

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County racial justice group continues its work