Hundreds of protesters braved scorching 100 degree heat and took to the streets of San Ramon on Wednesday, in a mass demonstration that condemned racism and police brutality both locally and across the county.
The most recent Tri-Valley protest inspired by the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, the non-violent demonstration shut down a large section of central San Ramon from 5 to 7:30 p.m. as protesters marched from Valley View Park, down Bollinger Canyon Road all the way to San Ramon City Hall where a rally was held.
Primarily led by local youth activists, the demonstration prioritized peaceful protests and the amplification of black voices, all while stressing the point that issues revolving around racism and police brutality are not isolated to large metropolitan areas.
"(Suburban residents) are often unaware of the issues; they are sometimes sheltered and are not aware of things that happen to us," said San Ramon resident Courtney Smith. "San Ramon is my safe place, so it's important for the people in my community to know what we go through on a daily basis."
Smith did add however, that despite the prevalent issues in the region, the size and diverse makeup of the protests was an encouraging sight, saying: "I think to see all the different backgrounds and ethnicities, this is what our community is. We are not just one demographic, we are a whole lot of different people and this shows it right here. And I can't be proud enough to say I am from San Ramon because we do care too."
"With everything happening in the world today, like we were just saying, you need to be the change you want to see. This is a peaceful protest and we are just going to try and go out there and show that we're angry and we're fighting for a good cause. Not in a violent way, but in a way that we are going to be heard and cause change," Keith Smith added.
Several hundred residents participated in the march, which was met with cooperation from the San Ramon Police Department, who collaborated with organizers and sent officers in advance of the group, shutting down streets to motorists in order to ensure a safe event.
Marching down Bollinger Canyon Road, protesters chanted familiar sayings of the movement such as "No Justice, No Peace," and "Black Lives Matter," as well as chanting the names of Black Americans recently killed including Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
Upon reaching the Bollinger Canyon Road-Canyon View Circle intersection, the procession took a knee for an eight-minute moment of silence, doing so in recognition of the amount of time Floyd suffocated while Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck.
Afterward, the group continued on to San Ramon City Hall, where participants shared testimonials about life and issues of Black people in the San Ramon Valley, sang songs and performed live poetry.
Continuing the theme of addressing how national problems are also present in the local community, at the rally participants decried not only the recent cases of police brutality suffered by people of color all across the country, but numerous instances right here in the San Ramon Valley.
From racist graffiti in schools to daily microaggressions and police profiling, rally testimonials highlighted that issues surrounding racism are still very much local issues.
"I've experienced racism at Cal High the whole time I was there, and I don't think kids around here really understand it. So it's important to bring awareness to this community, just because it's a nicer area, I don't think (locals) really grasp the issues," Kayla M told DanvilleSanRamon.com.
"They make light of it, they'll make jokes about it," added Kalen M.
While these issues are very much relevant in the region, organizers did thank the San Ramon Police Chief Craig Stevens for his support during the City Hall rally.
A number of local officials attended the rally, including San Ramon City Councilwoman Sabina Zafar, State Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Danville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Zae Perrin.
Perrin addressed the crowd directly on Wednesday, saying: "There was a social media post and it said 'Zae, how are we gonna stop it?' It's called physics, the only way we stop it is with a force as strong if not stronger. I am proud to stand here and have all of you supporting me and supporting my family. I can't tell you what that means."
"I am proud that you are here to support, but go know your neighbors, go introduce yourself let them know who you are, let them know your pain, let them know your goals, let them know your love, because that's how we get the entire population down here standing for each other," he added.
This was the third peaceful protest in the Tri-Valley, with the first occurring in Dublin on Monday, followed by one in Danville on Tuesday.
There is one more planned Tri-Valley protest related to racism and the Black Lives Matter movement coming up, with Pleasanton residents having scheduled one for 2 p.m. on Friday in front of Amador Valley Community Park, 4301 Black Ave. Pleasanton protest organizers say they have been working with local police in order to ensure that protest is another one.
Comments
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 6:24 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 6:24 am
Go to Oakland or San Jose To protest and keep the undesirables out of our suburbs.
San Ramon
on Jun 4, 2020 at 6:53 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 6:53 am
Did the marchers have a permit, as required by the City of San Ramon?
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:06 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:06 am
Glad that it was peaceful unlike many other protests we have read about.
I think calling it a "mass demonstration" when there were less than two hundred people is a bit of an exaggeration though. That does not mean that people do not care but most people are respecting social distancing in these times and also do not need others to speak for them.
I am curious who the organizers were since these events always need people to plan, organize, and speak to the audience. It turned out that many of the protests of the past year of two have been run by outsiders who were manipulating the participants for their own agenda. I hope this was not the case with this one.
San Ramon
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:23 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:23 am
“I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis writes. “The words ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind.”
General James Mattis
San Ramon
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:28 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:28 am
I think all protest's ought to be planned and or granted in an open area, away from vulnerable homes and businesses. The risk of an outbreak in looting and property damage, should be enough to warrant this decision.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:29 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:29 am
I love reading about the melted tears here. The pearl clutching by some of the comments here show me there are many still with racists sentiments. Evil lives in Danville, regardless of bank account balance.
San Ramon
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:50 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:50 am
Hey, for all my folks wondering why folks are protesting. You obviously haven't watched the video. PLEASE WATCH ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE END. And then you'll see why people are mad.
Web Link
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 8:12 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 8:12 am
To Snowflake: Just curious...do you still live in mommy and daddy's basement? Just curious...
FYI: I have worked my entire life to achieve what I have achieved... Perhaps the looters and troublemakers should get a job instead of stealing and destroying what other people have EARNED!
Blackhawk
on Jun 4, 2020 at 8:39 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 8:39 am
Great job everyone of coming together to demonstrate you’re outrage. No we aren’t done, yes we have the right to protest. Let the local crybabies have their tantrums because they don’t want to acknowledge their privilege or deal with racism. Keep it up and don’t let anyone get you down about what you are doing! Change can sometimes be messy (American revolution...anyone?)
Walnut Creek
on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:46 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:46 am
Here I am.............stuck in the middle
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 10:18 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 10:18 am
To What!
Let me also add that no one looted or rioted in San Ramon and Danville.
These protests are much more worthy than anti-mask, need a haircut, need my nails done right-wing, dingbat brittle spirit protests. If this hurts your feelings, I'm sorry but look in the mirror for some real honest discussions and critical thoughts before displaying more of your ignorance. You make the rest of us Americans look bad.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 11:05 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 11:05 am
Where is empathy and compassion in this community? What is happening to humanity? You can still live in a Privileged community but be socially conscious and aware of the injustice going on against people of color, especially blacks. We all need to take a good hard look at ourselves to see where the ignorance is coming from. No one is condoning violence and looting, but peaceful protests to express cries of injustice should be respected and acknowledged.
Blackhawk
on Jun 4, 2020 at 11:08 am
on Jun 4, 2020 at 11:08 am
Dear "What!"
Shame on you !!
Blackhawk
on Jun 4, 2020 at 12:18 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 12:18 pm
I participated in the protest which was ORGANIZED by a group of LOCAL HIGH STUDENTS. The turnout was HUGE- Far MORE THAN 200 ppl. Families with young children, teens, young and old of ALL RACES attended peacefully. It was a powerful protest. All POC were given a chance to describe their many experiences of racial discrimination WITHIN our own community. The SRVPD worked actively with organizers to keep both the town and the protesters safety. They closed down street for the duration of the March. Officers were friendly, helpful and wearing normal uniforms and I did not see any hint of riot gear. All protesters calmly and peacefully dispersed in accordance with the curfew without incident and were later thanked by the SRVPD via Twitter for keeping the protest peaceful. And us protesters sent messages of gratitude to the PD.
For those complaining about the protests or those of you huddled in your boarded up model homes clutching your guns- you can stand down. The protesters yesterday were not outsiders trying to torch your Beamer. We are your neighbors, fellow community members and quite possibly your own children or grandchildren. And the only thing we want to see is change.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 12:46 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 12:46 pm
No, I'm not going to feel guilty .... nor will I apologize!
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:12 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:12 pm
Just reading some of these comments reminds me how much work still needs to be done.We are so far from any form of kindness. If you are worried about "your community" being hurt by "others", then you are the problem. This is exactly why there are protests throughout the world right now. The injustice in that thinking. It is ignorant, it is hurtful and it is hate
I am a white business owner in this community and I support equality even if it means I have to pause my business
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:28 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:28 pm
To What!
"No, I'm not going to feel guilty .... nor will I apologize!"
You obviously don't read well and you let your emotions guide you because I specifically said that no one is asking you to apologize.
You display zero self awareness and no critical thinking...at all. Yet you come off as if you have some kind of inherent moral high ground when you clearly do not. Instead, you're steadfast in your proudly display of ignorance. Good luck to you, your family and your precious pearls.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:35 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Dear concerned about humanity,
You are concerned about humanity, and so am I. But you sir, just with your words, give humanity HOPE. More people and business owners like you make things worth fighting for!
I wont ask what your business is...but I always make it a point to try and spend my hard earned money in my local areas and shops. Nothing better than supporting your local community. Thank you!
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:37 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Per Washington Post:
Last year, 371 white people were fatally shot by the police, and 236 black people. Black suspects fatally shot were significantly more likely to have a deadly weapon with them than white suspects, yet more white suspects were killed.
Last year, there were a total of 10 people in the U.S. in which unarmed black people were fatally shot by the police.
During President Obama's 2015 term, 38 unarmed blacks were killed by police. Overall, during Trump presidency, the number of unarmed blacks killed by police has drastically dropped.
48 police officers will killed in line of duty last year.
Blacks are 700 more time likely killed by people they know then police officers.
Facts.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:49 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Dear "Facts"
371 of white people shot and 236 of black people shot huh?
White's make up about 70+% of the US population.
Blacks only are around 12+/-% of the US population.
Context matters. Your misdirection is fooling no one but only the fools.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:45 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:45 pm
12% of blacks commit 55% of the crime. So if the involvement of blacks with law and order accounts for over 50% then the lower number being shot means proportionately more whites get shot. I am not white. I am an immigrant POC. There is definitely a problem in the black community but its has very little to do with cops. There are bad cops everywhere. The cops in my country of origin were horrible and majority of them bad apples. The cop who murdered Floyd needs to be put in jail and punished. I dont think anyone denies that. Which is why there has been overwhelming support for the protests. At the same time the looters and rioters taking advantage of the situation should also be punished. 3 cops and 1 ex cop, all of them black were killed by rioters. Their life does not matter to BLM because it does not fit their poilitical narrative!
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:52 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:52 pm
A great video from the event: Web Link
Way more than several hundred. At least a couple thousand Danville & San Ramon residents participated in this peaceful demonstration, with the blessing of the San Ramon Police Dept. and local & state officials. It was a grass-roots, local event bringing together our beautiful, diverse community. Fantastic.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:17 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Member 123
"12% of blacks commit 55% of crime."
SMH. Just when I was starting to have hope for humanity... That didn't ever make sense. There's also just too much racist stereotype misinformation to unpack with your uneducated rant...
Please, people, don't lead with your emotions.
I'm not very religious but for you, I'm going to pray for you to have less evil in your heart. I think you're trying to be in the right place. Just not quite there. I'll pray for you.
Danville
on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:46 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Its not me. Thats the official govt data. I do not hate anybody, just pointing out facts to your "clever" argument:
"371 of white people shot and 236 of black people shot huh?
White's make up about 70+% of the US population.
Blacks only are around 12+/-% of the US population."
Web Link
Go to page 12 table 7, demographics data for violent crimes in America from 1980 to 2008. 52.8% of the offenders are black. So it would make sense that the number of deaths by cops should be more or less equal since the offenders are equally divided. But the data shows that whites get killed lot more by cops even though they equally represent violent crimes.
I know it goes against your political narrative. But those are the facts.
I will pray for you too that you open your eyes and if you really want to help concentrate on the real problems facing minorities and blacks in particular.
San Ramon
on Jun 4, 2020 at 10:14 pm
on Jun 4, 2020 at 10:14 pm
I am appalled by the comments here. I hope you are trolls and not neighbors who have no empathy or humanity ...
San Ramon
on Jun 5, 2020 at 12:49 am
on Jun 5, 2020 at 12:49 am
DanvilleSnowflakes:
Chicago:75% of Murdered Are Black, 71% of Murderers Are Black
Before blame police which protect me, take care of your backyard.
San Ramon
on Jun 5, 2020 at 7:15 am
on Jun 5, 2020 at 7:15 am
I guess we only have to look "next door" to know why our local schools are still combating racist graffiti (and more) after all these years.
I protested peacefully in memory of my fellow CHS classmate. We graduated from CHS together and returned to San Ramon to raise our families at roughly the same time. We compared our post-return experience with local law enforcement. He was pulled over by local police 35+ times in a span of 20 years compared to my ONCE, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with the difference in the color of our skin.
Very sad for my community and my country. To have such privilege and still make a deliberate choice to live in ignorance and fear - in a prison of your own construction - is a true crime against humanity.