After weeks of urging citizens to stay away from the downtown National Socialist Movement demonstration Saturday, community leaders praised the strong turnout at alternative community events planned to divert attention away from the rally and celebrate diversity.
Several events drew as many or more people than the estimated 200 people who went to watch or protest the demonstration.
“We made history today,” said Julian Mack, organizer for the Black Lives Matter Day event, which drew attention to police brutality and the Black Lives Matter campaign. “It’s pure positivity. Just because it’s a serious issue doesn't mean we can’t be positive; a few hundred people united for justice.”
Similar events took place citywide Saturday. Most offered food, games, and music. All were family friendly, with a positive spirit and a message of community. No matter what happened during a downtown neo-Nazi demonstration, others aimed to unify the community through various events promoting peace.
PHOTO GALLERY: Black Lives Matter Day
PHOTO GALLERY: Community Peace Day
Hundreds of people came out to the Frederick Douglass Community Association for Black Lives Matter Day, organizers said. The event was organized by the Community Solidarity Response Network of Toledo. Singers, poets, and dancers performed. Face painting and other activities for children were offered. Local leaders, including Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson and Toledo NAACP President Ray Wood, stopped by to show their support.
Although the event happened at the same time as the downtown demonstration, it was about more than providing something else to do, Mr. Mack said. The event built momentum for the Black Lives Matter campaign. Supporters from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit attended.
At Black Lives Matter Day, petitions called for body cameras for all Toledo police officers and a community oversight review board when police actions are questioned.
“There are actual, physical changes we can make now,” said Mr. Mack, who stressed the importance of continued dialogue with police and elected officials to make Saturday’s event about more than a single day.
Friends Harmonie Temple and Tiffany Butts attended to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Ms. Butts said events like this are important for her four young children and others in Toledo.
“It shows them a community doing things that make them want to grow up here,” Ms. Butts said. Both women said they hope to see the rebirth of a strong black-owned business community and arts scene in the city.
Contributing to the art scene was Hunter Turner, who recited his poem, “City Mine,” which described his experience growing up in the central city.
“This area is important,” Mr. Turner said, pointing out where his friends would hang out or play basketball. “This [event] is beautiful. I hope it keeps going and gets bigger.”
That message of unity was a common thread at other events Saturday.
“When others from outside our community seek to bring hate, we show that we are truly a compassionate city,” said the Rev. Kris Schondelmeyer of Christ Presbyterian Church at the first Unity in the Community event.
Unity in the Community, which drew about 200 people, was hosted at the Local 12 United Auto Workers hall at 2300 Ashland Ave. Children could play in bounce houses and ride horses, and music and food was available.
“Our aim was to bring our community together and show that we are a city of compassion,” said Chris McBrayer, a minister at Glass City Church of Christ.
Jennifer Cload took her 10-year-old daughter, Savannah, to the family-friendly event. She said she wanted to attend to “show some unity rather than be part of the adversity.”
It was a near-perfect day for outdoor activities with plentiful sun, clear skies, and temperatures in the low 70s. At Willys Park and the adjacent Eleanor Kahle Senior Center, more than 150 people turned out for “Community Peace Day,” hosted by Block Watch Toledo.
Children zoomed around on bikes, colorful balloons trailing behind them. There were free hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream. Neighbors brought their best recipes for a chili cook-off.
And it was all donated: the food, the materials, and the volunteers. Block Watch organizer Tina Scott said she got goosebumps thinking about how many people came together to make the event possible, as well as other neighborhood gatherings around the city.
“It’s totally awesome that everyone cares enough for there to be events here, there, and everywhere,” she said.
Toledo City Councilman Tyrone Riley said he was trying to get to all of the events around the city. At the Block Watch event, he praised the Toledo community for its efforts in coming together.
“It recognized what we have in common rather than what separated us,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day to be enjoying each other instead of bigotry and discrimination.”
Kenny Richardson was there with his 6-year-old daughter, Kemara. He lives nearby in West Toledo and went with his cousin, who rounded up a few neighborhood children to attend with them.
It was a positive activity to do in Toledo with his daughter on his day off, he said.
“I’m glad they’re focused around here and not downtown,” Mr. Richardson said. “We just ignore that.”
It was going to be a busy day in Toledo even without the rally and subsequent alternative events. Unrelated, Toledo-centric events drew hundreds of other attendees Saturday, including the Toledo Zoo’s “Party for the Planet,” United Way of Greater Toledo’s “Global Youth Service Day,” and “Take Back the Night.”
First Published April 19, 2015, 4:00 a.m.