BLACK FAMILIES MATTER

BLACK FAMILIES MATTER

Find another way.

Just four days ago, cleostore jefferson was shot to death on james street.

Police found him lying on the sidewalk, shot several times.

20:52:12 "the young man, cleo jefferson, did not deserve that" today, a community that mourns him rises up, asking for better, including, from themselves .

None .

None 20:53:56 "it's going to be the people that make the neighborhood safer.

Yes, law enforcement is necessary.

But it's going to be the people.

It's going to be the individuals that says i'm going to change" the black families matter rally is happening on kemble park, in utica.

A safe event and outdoor gathering with entertainment, food, camaraderie, and, a message and, organizers hope, commitment to do better 20:51:56 "and if it's young black men inflicting the pain, and those are mostly the victims, young black men, then black communities and black families, we have to to better and we can be better.

We have to work better together.

That's what the purpose of this event is about" assemblywoman marianne buttenschon came, bearing signs of the times and the day: hand sanitizer and spring water.

20:46:12 "we're at a time where we're looking at bringing our community together.

We need to talk about the positive aspects and how we can do that" co organizer, patrick johnson, says he is not above pleading.

Because the stakes are high: young lives, cut short.

Families left broken.

Communities, less safe 20:54:46 'but what we're letting the community know is we are not taking this laying down.

And we are pleading, we are pleading wit hthe people in the community, if you're thinking about shooting somebody, please don't do that.

Find another alternative" the day long rally planned to wrap up a few minutes ago, at six o'clock.

But organizers hope the message will resonate far longer.