PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
A walk for solidarity and bringing the community together started in front of the Fecteau-Leary School on Monday. The march was led, from right, by Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, State Rep. Daniel Cahill, Tyler Alicudo and A.J. Capano.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — Police, elected officials and a diverse group of residents walked for solidarity through the Common on Monday, in wake of the recent shootings in Dallas, St. Paul and Baton Rouge.
The recent fatal shootings of two black men in St. Paul and Baton Rouge are reported to have resulted from excessive police force. These two incidents were followed by the shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas by a sniper during a protest highlighting the police shootings. The latter incident, which also wounded seven other officers and two civilians, is the deadliest attack on police since 9/11.
About 70 residents peacefully marched with the Lynn Police Department from Fecteau-Leary School on North Common Street to City Hall, followed by brief remarks from Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger and Rev. Jon Niketh, of the First Lutheran Church. The event was organized Friday by Lynn residents A.J. Capano and Tyler Alicudo.
Capano said the pair wasn’t interested in taking the side of either the Black Lives Matter movement or police. Instead, they want to bring all groups together. He said the only way issues can be resolved is with the input of the entire community.
“We just wanted to take the divisive current events and just stand up as a symbol for coming together,” Capano said.
Alicudo said he was fed up.
“We just felt helpless,” Alicudo said. “We wanted to do something.”
Coppinger said the march sends a great message to the city. He’s been a police officer for 33 years, but in the last couple of years, it has been a tough time to be a cop, he said. He added that the events of last week are unfathomable.
“It’s very difficult for me and my fellow officers to justify,” Coppinger said. “Until we know the truth, we can’t rush to judgment.”
The police chief acknowledged that law enforcement has made some mistakes. But the same argument goes on the other side of the coin, he added. Coppinger said it’s a tough time for law enforcement and for the black community.
“We need to break down the stereotypes and biases we all have,” he said.
Rev. Niketh stressed the importance of sticking together.
“We’re being asked to take a side and demonize the other side,” Niketh said. “Both sides have legitimate things to say when they’re said peacefully.”
Sheila O’Neil, a Lynn resident, said she marched with her two grandchildren for solidarity.
“We need to stay together because we’re one people,” she said.
April Anderson, a Lynn resident, attended the march wearing a shirt that read “Yeah, I’m from Lynn and proud of it.”
“It’s important we stand together, especially during these times,” she said.
Jordan Brown, of Lynn, said her mother encouraged her to walk.
“I think it’s good to show that we’re supportive and we understand what’s going on and just play our part,” Brown said.
Jessica Chiappini, of Lynn, said it’s important for youth to have relationships with police and that they shouldn’t be intimidated to approach officers for help.
“I think this march is important because we don’t really see a lot of police brutality in our city,” Chiappini said. “We don’t want to see it.”
State Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) commended the organizers and everyone who came together as a city for the event. He said lots of Lynn residents and stakeholders care about the city.
“In order to get through these difficult times, events like these are needed,” he said.
State Rep. Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn) said solidarity is a message that Lynn needs.
“At least you’re showing folks that you care,” he said.
Capano said the city is in a good place already with the march’s message.
“Lynn is a community that’s united at a time when other communities are divided,” he said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.
