CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Locals gathered in downtown Clarksville on Tuesday, June 9, for the Roxy Regional Theatre’s ‘Be The Light,” marquee lighting ceremony in honor of George Floyd, who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minn.
“I am committed to leading the Roxy Regional Theatre in a way to bring about positive change, dedicated thought and lasting unity,” said Executive Director Ryan Bowie. “We light this marquee to publicly stand in solidarity with the Black community today and always.”
Following Bowie’s speech, the marquee was lit, and the crowd observed 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, representing the amount of time that former Minnesota Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck.
Local leaders spoke at the event, including County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins, Juanita Charles, Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, his wife Cynthia Pitts and incoming Police Chief David Crockarell.
“The Clarksville PD is not perfect, we are just humans. Do we have room for improvement? Yes we do, and we strive for that daily and annually. Are we ashamed of what a small number of police officers do to this profession? You bet, absolutely,” said David Crockarell, who will become acting Police Chief on July 1.
“We hold our officers accountable, because I am accountable, and he’s accountable, and you are the boss,” he continued.
Crockarell went on to invite locals to apply to become police officers and introduce greater diversity to the Clarksville Police Department “Our goal is to have a work force that mirrors this street right now… we need applications. Please apply.”
“It is time for community leaders to stand up,” said Trustee Wiggins. “I have heard the phrase ‘Black lives matter.’ I have also heard the phrase ‘all lives matter.’ So I turn my ears and heart towards heaven. What is actually being said is ‘Black lives matter too.’ Black and brown peoples’ lives are the ones that are a target right now in this very moment.”
“I am in mourning,” said Juanita Charles. ” When I say I am in mourning, it is for George Floyd, but it is not just for George Floyd. For those of us who pay attention, who live this life, who walk in this skin, who have babies that look like us, we know that George Floyds happen every day, Breonna Taylors happen every day, Ahmaud Arberys happen every day, Tamir Rice happens every day. Trayvon Martin happens every day. We do not get a break from it”
“It’s time that the community rallies together and highlights the need to run racism out of this town,” said Mayor Pitts. “We want to be the shining star for the world, and let the world know that Clarksville Tennessee will not stand for it.”
“You have seen how we have done. We have done it peacefully, we have done it proudly, and we have done it loudly. Now that we’ve got the world’s attention, it is up to us to change. If we can change ourselves, we can change the world,” he continued.
The speakers concluded with Mikquala Skelton, one of the Roxy’s School of the Arts students, leading the gathered crowd in a verse of ‘Amazing Grace.”
Bowie also said that the Roxy’s 38th season would strive for a greater degree of diversity and inclusion in its choice of plays as well as in its casting.
For more information on the Roxy, visit them on Facebook or at their website.
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[PHOTOS] Local leaders speak at Roxy's 'Be The Light' memorial event - Clarksville Now
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