BLM NEPA United Movement holds event on Public Square

WILKES-BARRE — The Black Lives Matter movement is alive and well in Wilkes-Barre, as evidenced by the large turnout to Saturday’s Black Lives Matter NEPA United Movement gathering on Public Square.

A list of speakers from all walks of life, from public officials to business owners to professional athletes, all came together to preach equality, justice and love.

The afternoon’s festivities started down Main Street a little bit, in the Family Dollar parking lot. From there, a passionate group of men and women marched to Public Square with signs and T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like “I Can’t Breathe,” “NEPA United” and “Black Lives Matter.”

The event was organized by a small group of people who spread the word via Facebook, with Darlene Magdalinski leading the way. Magdalinski is a community activist and the president and founder of local nonprofit United We Stand Divided We Fall.

“This is a movement,” Magdalinski said. “You’re all here because you want to be a part of a movement.”

It was more of a community event-type atmosphere than a rally, with snacks, live music and plenty of information handed out by representatives from some local nonprofits and organizations geared toward helping the community.

The speaking portion of the gathering was opened with a prayer and a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by a performance from a group of youth dancers representing the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Magdalinski was brought to the microphone next, praising the community leaders for helping put on such a large-scale event, transitioning into her introduction for the afternoon’s first guest speaker, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.

Brown and Magdalinski embraced at the podium, with Magdalinski telling the crowd “we want change, it starts with this man. Mayor Brown is here to help.”

“We want to make the city of Wilkes-Barre a place for everyone,” Brown said.

From Brown, the speakers rolled on. Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis was next up, followed by Pennsylvania state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre.

Pashinski brought up to the front all of the children present on Public Square, proclaiming them “the future.”

“This country is supposed to be free for all,” Pashinski said. “Not just tall people, or short people … everyone.”

The variety of topics touched on ranged from racism, to violence, to drug abuse and everything in between in. Colin Kaepernick was name-dropped, as was Laura Ingraham for her infamous “shut up and dribble” comments.

“We will not shut up and dribble,” said Sameerah Woods, a local business owner and activist.

Even after the speakers had concluded, the music kept playing and the spirit of the afternoon carried on. There were free toys for the children, popcorn and sodas and T-shirts for sale.

One central message was echoed by everyone involved, and manifested in a registration table: Change starts with the vote.

“Vote for low-level offices, vote for president, just vote,” Woods said. “We know who supports us and who doesn’t.”