Three CSA New Tech students have organized a public, family-style event “A Moment For Justice: The Conversation Starts Here” scheduled from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday near the Doug Otto Center at 1531 13th St.
The free gathering will feature a disc jockey, food, games, speakers, an art auction and a reminder of the many Black citizens nationwide who have died at the hands of police or related violence in the past few years. The event represents the senior project of Sarah Burton, Erika Bates and Yalenia Gonzalez, guided by mentor Tracey Clark.
The group is working alongside the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch and the local African American Pastors Alliance, aiming for a mix of a fun, festival-oriented atmosphere with a more rally-oriented message of unity via speakers and more.
The trio hopes for the event “to help bring awareness to the racial inequality that is experienced daily in our community and communities around us,” they posted on their Facebook page A Moment For Justice.
“This began as a way for the girls to bring awareness of racial injustice to their peer group,” Clark said. “This is just one way to start a conversation so people can begin to talk about things that need to change (racially), and how justice should be for everyone and not based on skin color, religion, sexual orientation or things like that.”
Bates mentioned that she is passionate about A Moment for Justice because she hopes to become a lawyer “to help those who deal with racial injustice.”
Burton said nearly all of the gathering’s elements, including speakers, would be focused on helping “people understand in different ways all the things going on (racially).”
Organizers hope for 200 to 250 people throughout the day, and are encouraging people to wear masks and to safely distance. And they hope the activities can serve as a tool for awareness and enlightenment.
“Among my age group, I think a lot of people understand the social injustice that’s going on,” Burton said. “But there obviously still are some people who are unaware.”
Yet, the teens are careful to mention that the event is for all ages.
And Bates pointed out that, with so many events this year canceled because of the pandemic, “I think we’re very luck to be able to have this in person.”
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What: A Moment For Justice: The Conversation Starts Here, a family friendly event focusing on racial justice and equality and featuring music, food, games, speakers and more
When: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: On the grounds near the Doug Otto Center at 1531 13th St.
Admission: Free
Information: The Facebook page for A Moment for Justice
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