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At the end of the day we're all insects she says
https://13wham.com/news/local/army-vet-says-racist-language-used-against-her-at-back-the-blue-rally
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is asking for New York State Police to analyze a video showing the N-word being directed at a woman attending a Back the Blue rally over the weekend.
The woman who recorded the video, Tatyana Conner, is a three-year veteran of the U.S. Army. She said she wanted to show her support to her brothers and sisters in arms.
"Instead, I was greeted with backlash and racism," she said.
Her experience at the Sodus rally left her disheartened and scared.
"As I'm on the corner, I just hear the N-word being called out. Someone told me to take a knee, and that's the part where I was like, 'Okay, these people really don't care that I am out here to literally support what they are doing'. Instead, they just saw me for the color of my skin," Conner said.
She posted the footage on social media, where it sparked an investigation from law enforcement and an apology from organizers.
"They reached out and said, 'I'm sorry, but we didn't expect this to happen, and so I'm really sorry,'" she recounted. "I just really appreciate that."
The organizers of the event refused to comment, but did point to a statement made online by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and attributed to Sheriff Barry Virts:
It was not the intention of the rally organizers and the vast majority of people showing support to and for accountable law enforcement to cause anyone harm or alarm. It is disgusting that anyone would use hateful language at a rally, in public or in private conversation. Racist and hateful speech is never acceptable. It is the extreme fringes of any organization, movement or gathering that causes an organization, movement or gatherings problems from the core statement or action(s) being conveyed. I have contacted the New York State Police Troop E Forensic Unit to analyze the video.
Conner said she released the video in hopes of generating productive conversation - while leaving race out of it.
"It's either you support All Live Matter, Police Lives Matter or you support Black Lives Matter. I support both," she said. "It's hard for people to understand. It's sad. It really is."
Rachel Kauka, a member of the group Concerned Citizens of Wayne County and one of organizers for Black Lives Matter events in Wayne County, says the video was overwhelming and shocking to her.
"There were so many leaders that were also in that rally," she said. "I know that, some of the leaders that we asked to come to one of our specific rallies in Palmyra, N.Y., they would not come but they were in support of the rally that happened and I think that a lot of negative things happened . So it kind of showed us where they stand and it kind of showed the division that Wayne County has, as well."
James Schuler, another member of Concerned Citizens of Wayne County, says the video shows more work need to be done to unify the county.
"We have been doing a lot of great work but unfortunately we weren't able to show that good work because the ugly side came out," said Schuler.
New York State Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, who attended the rally, said he is aware of the video and disappointed there were "a few bad apples" at the event. ------
“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus
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