“We Can’t Breathe”: Poughkeepsie Protest Draws Thousands

Thousands of people flooded the streets of Poughkeepsie for a “We Can't Breathe” demonstration on Tuesday afternoon. Sponsored by the Stop the Violence Movement, the event emerged in response to George Floyd’s death in police custody on May 25 and his dying words: “I can’t breathe.” Rallies continue to flare up in cities across the country, protesting police brutality and racism. 

Event organizers outlined the details of the Poughkeepsie protest in a Facebook post: "WE SIMPLY ARE PROTESTING the fact that we keep dying just for being black. We are asking the COMMUNITY to invite as many people as you can to protest the recent killings of our brother GEORGE FLOYD... Our sister Breonna Taylor and our brother AHMAUD ARBERY ..WE CAN'T BREATHE. WE CAN'T JOG, and we can't sit in our own home and make matters worse."

Protestors take a knee at Tuesday’s rally. Source: Hailey Moore, Poughkeepsie resident.

The rally, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, began near Harriet Tubman Park. Stop The Violence Movement organizer Robert Pemberton noted that frustration sparked much of the violence occurring across the county, but the organizers aimed for a peaceful protest. "The work is not today; it's tomorrow," he said to the crowd. Many local businesses boarded up their windows ahead of the event, but recent Marist alumnus Kelli Devlin ‘20 said that the protest was anything but destructive. 

“There were all of these rumors going around that people were going to burn down the city of Poughkeepsie, and everybody that was going to the protest, everybody who coordinated the protest, their entire purpose was that they wanted it to be peaceful, and it was,” Devlin said. 

Protestors chanted, spoke and sang behind a line of New York State troopers. Many wore masks and carried signs. At 5 p.m., roughly 100 protestors were permitted to walk across the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Local lawmakers joined the protesters, kneeling during the demonstration and supporting the movement. Closures included the Mid-Hudson Bridge and other surrounding roadways for the duration of the rally. The Poughkeepsie Journal reported that sheriff deputies cut off access for vehicles and stood in crossing areas wearing helmets and face shields.

As nationwide protests gain more traction, some city officials have taken drastic measures to control unrest. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City's first curfew since 1945, and officials cleared the streets by 8 p.m. starting Tuesday. At the Poughkeepsie protest, the crowd flared up occasionally, but most of the rally remained peaceful and aligned with the movement’s goals. 

"We come together today out of love, and I want you to know that we love everybody here on behalf of Dutchess County … and you have a right, a reason, and a purpose of speaking out today," Marc Molinaro, Dutchess County executive, said to the crowd. 

As thousands gathered for the Poughkeepsie protest, Stop the Violence Movement organizers aimed to keep the march peaceful. Source: Hailey Moore, Poughkeepsie resident.

Advocators from all over the Hudson Valley came together to support this pressing issue peacefully. Attendees like Devlin left with a sense of pride.

“I am proud to be a member of the Poughkeepsie community. The protest on Tuesday was the epitome of a peaceful protest. It consisted of a diverse group of people that were united, determined and peaceful, while making their voices heard on various racial injustices and necessary reform,” Devlin said. “The unity within the group was an empowering and emotional experience.”