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Hudson Valley celebrates July 4 with protests

Jul 05, 2020 6:33 am

On the Fourth of July there were protests for police reform in Colonie, Carmel, and New Paltz, and one against mask wearing in Kingston. The Times Union reports there were also competing protests on different sides of the street in Delmar. On one side of the intersection of Delaware and Kenwood avenues in Delmar protesters chanted "Black Lives Matter," and on the other side demonstrators held signs that said, “We Support Bethlehem Police.” CLICK HERE FOR A BRIEF EXCERPT OF THE TIMES UNION RECORDING OF THE COMPETING PROTESTS. While there was much yelling between the two sides, a few people talked about common ground. Jody Heffernan said she was there for the police rally, but that she "can’t pick a side" with many friends who are police, and a daughter that is biracial. Heffernan supports the police, but, “You’re seeing too many videos of officers acting in ways they shouldn’t,” she said. Across the street, 16-year-old Sydney Affonso, a Bethlehem High School student, said she, "got help from the police, and I’m grateful for that.... We’re saying the system is corrupt, and Black lives need to matter right now ... we’re trying to get people to care and see what’s going on.” This coming week there are protests planned in Cairo, Kinderhook, Ghent, Chatham, Kingston, Monticello, and North Adams in Massachusetts.