In Bronx, Ministers and Activists Hold Rally Against Violence in Communities of Color

By JORDAN RAMOS

On Thursday a rally was held by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization at Fordham Plaza in the Bronx, demonstrating against violence in New York communities.

Among the speakers was Jose Rivera, Bronx assemblyman. “I want to thank you and you can help by giving the message that we have to come together to stop the violence,” Rivera told the crowd.

The rally was organized because of recent shootings in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Speakers said police need to be fortified with a budget allowing them to stop the violence.

Speakers talked a great deal about the crime wave of the previous two days and said they want a stop to it with stronger police budgeting. Ruben Diaz Sr, at the end of the rally, talked about how the clergy are with the NYPD and want the police budget to “not decrease but increase” with more officers on duty.

The controversial minister/politician Ruben Diaz Sr, said he stands with the NYPD and wants the police budget to “not decrease but increase,” with more officers on duty.

One of the founding members of the Guardian Angels, the legendary civilian crime watchdog group, Arnaldo A. Salinas, spoke about what the event meant to him.

“We’re here united,” he said. “When rain falls, it falls upon all our heads, and the number one issue here in New York right now is crime and we’re here together showing a united front against crime.” The founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa, is running as a Republican in the mayoral race against Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Ubiquitous Brooklyn anti-violence activist Tony Herbert was there also. He talked about how such rallies can bring people together in their time of need. “These rallies are very important because it helps to see that the community is very involved and concerned about the violence throughout our city.” Herbert praised the coming together of “clergy and police” on the issue.

One of the main organizers of Thursday’s rally was Ruben Diaz Sr. He stirred much controversy in February 2019 when he declared, as a member of the City Council, that Council was “controlled by the homosexual community.” The Council voted to condemn Diaz for what he said and Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for his resignation. In July 2020, Díaz announced that he would not seek reelection.

At the end of the rally, Diaz talked about how the clergy are united with the NYPD.