Cayuga County Sheriff's Office Presents, “Who We Are… What We Do…How We Do It”

Cayuga Community College Auditorium, September 14, 2020

(Left to Right) Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace (HTCJP) board members, Steve Webster, Jack Hardy, Dr. Lou Lombardo, Undersheriff Wm. Steven Smith, Sheriff Brian Schenck and bill berry, jr., Chair, HTCJP (photo credit: Lisa Brennan)

Monday, September 14, 2020 at 2 PM in the auditorium of Cayuga Community College, SUNY, the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office presented a community initiative that poignantly detailed “Who We Are… What We Do…How We Do It” via YouTube and live-streamed on the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace (HTCJP) Facebook page.  The Tubman Center was the principal sponsor in its ongoing series of “Connecting Bridges” community engagement discussions in partnership with the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP and the City of Auburn’s Human Rights Commission.

The second and final local law enforcement dialogue was developed to enhance the larger community’s understanding of county public safety issues and practices. (The City of Auburn Police Department (APD) did the initial presentation on August 10 led by APD Chief Shawn Butler.) The CCSO led by Sheriff Brian Schenck and Undersheriff William Steven Smith , as well as their colleagues who are the Command Officers, adroitly detailed and articulated the agency’s mission, policies, protocols, practices, proactive community engagement, and officer wellness to a limited in presence audience due to Covid -19. Invited audience members wore facial covering and were physically distanced by pre-arranged seating. Upon arrival, participants were temperature checked and responded to the Covid-19 inquiry questionnaire while also providing contact data in case there was a need for contract tracing.)

Enjoy the slide show below of the presentation by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office. (Photo credit for all images: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Secretary)

Sheriff Brian Schenck

Undersheriff Wm Steven Smith

Undersheriff Wm Steven Smith

Patrol Lieutenant Michael Wellauer

Chief Custody Officer Robert Elser

Custody Captain John Mack

Custody Lieutenant Gary Dennis

Detective Lieutenant Frederick Cornelius

Sheriff Brian Schenck

 Please click the play button below to view the full LIVE STREAM

https://youtu.be/9CIXkFNITzQ

Questions or concerns regarding the presentation  may be addressed directly to Sheriff Brian Schenck via sheriff@cayugacounty.us

The Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace appreciates and applauds CCSO and APD for its willingness to remain transparent; engage community members in conversation even when such dialogue may be difficult; proactively work to discover pathways to not only better serve and protect the community but for non-law enforcement neighbors to see officers as meaningful residents whose job does not define who they are as people; embrace them as fellow neighbors and along with other front line “protectors,” embrace the fact that they keep all of us locally safe and equally protected. Their mission. Our expectation. Together. One community. 

This is…The Auburn/Cayuga Way.

Letter: Education leaders must do their part

“My View,” bill berry, jr., Letter to the Editor, The Citizen Newspaper, published August 16, 2020

bill berry, jr. speaks at the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc. sponsored Town Hall Community Meeting held on June 27, 2020 at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Board Secretary)

The community continues to move forward with pertinent conversations and actions with local law enforcement to enhance equity and better understanding between the two cohorts. Based on the recent presentation and transparency driven by statistical information to social justice organizations by the Auburn Police Department and a pending mid-September presentation from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, it is time for social justice organizations to challenge the diversity intentions of those institutions that educate our young people.

The Auburn Enlarged City School District and Cayuga Community College’s executive leadership have been absent in articulating or discussing how their institutions are manifesting administrative/executive leadership that recruits, appoints, recognizes and values leaders of color. Now this observation may be misplaced. However, the community has not been advised of such written and measurable institutional plans. Those leaders and their boards are now on notice and challenged to provide to the community their written plans to diversify their administrative and teaching ranks to better prepare students for a diverse and multicultural world of employment and societal participation.

Law enforcement has the appropriate hurdle of a civil service exam, and multiple subsequent tests that extend over a year to finally identify candidates who are qualified to be hired. As social justice organizations work with Auburn police and the county sheriff’s office, our proactive vision must not overlook those institutions that play a major and significant involvement in the life of our children. And if the institutional leaders of our children’s education are not capable of making diversity a real initiative, I suspect the elected and appointed boards need to take on that task. At that point, board members’ responsibility is to guide and task educational leaders with their vision to conscientiously move forward the overall best interests of the community, as well as hold those leaders accountable for inactivity, lack of vision, or failure to comprehend the tenors of the times and the mood of this community.

William Berry Jr.

Auburn

William Berry Jr. is chair of the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and publisher of aaduna.

Letter: Free speech means sometimes disagreeing

“My View,” Dr. Lucien Lombardo, Letter to the Editor, The Citizen Newspaper, published August 14, 2020

Dr. Lucien Lombardo speaks at the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc. sponsored Town Hall Community Meeting held on June 27, 2020 at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan, HTCJP Board Secretary)

In a letter published July 30, 2020, Andrew Dennison asks: “Where was my free-speech last month?” Legislator Dennison should look in the June 26 edition of the newspaper. His free speech rights were recognized and his views about racism were published for all to read.

Once his First Amendment rights were respected, Mr. Dennison must have understood that people would react to his words. Given his position as a county legislator (or as a private citizen) this must be why he wrote. We believe what rankled Mr. Dennison was that those who responded to his words (many whose voices were not heard in the past because they did not look like Mr. Dennison, i.e., people who experience lives as Black people) were able to make their voices heard in the legislative meeting and in the newspaper.

Many who responded to Mr. Dennison’s words in a critical way did look like Mr. Dennison (were white) but these Mr. Dennison dismisses as "left-leaning,"  "Democrats" (not people like him).

In essence, people (whether Black or white) speaking up against what they perceive as "racist" statements (rather than tacitly accepting them) is the problem Mr. Dennison is really addressing — not First Amendment rights.

Mr. Dennison should recognize by now that voices of people who do not look like him will be speaking their truths whether he likes it or not! Their voices will matter! He can listen and learn, just as those who disagree with him should listen to and learn from him. They did this when the Cayuga County Legislature (or "Democrats" as Mr. Dennison says) “pushed a diversity resolution” in July of 2019.

The First Amendment says, “Congress shall Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Mr. Dennison’s right to free speech was not restricted in any way. In fact, Mr. Dennison seeks to restrict free speech by his veiled threats to sue The Citizen and two prominent people of color in the community, whom he singles out by name (even though a wide range of people, Black and white, spoke out against his previous letter).

Listening to and learning from diverse voices and experiences can make us uncomfortable and make life more complicated, but it is what makes our community fairer and more just for all.

Lucien Lombardo

Auburn

Lucien Lombardo is a board member and past chair of Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace.

Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace board members speak at a Cayuga County Legislature special meeting held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Legislator Andrew Dennison's chair, center, sits empty as he did not attend the Cayuga County Legislature meeting in person but opted to hear complaints during the public session about his recent racially charged comments via videoconferencing.

Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen

HTCJP chair, William Berry, Jr., vice-chair, Gilda Brower, secretary, Kathleen Barnard, and board members, Dr. Lucien Lombardo, and Dr. Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson were present during the public to be heard segment of the Cayuga County Legislature meeting held last evening to condemn Legislator Andrew Dennison’s racist letter to the editor, published in The Citizen Newspaper on June 26, 2020. (Cayuga County legislator faces backlash over racist letter to The Citizen)

Public condemns Cayuga County legislator's Black Lives Matter comments

Mary Catalfamo, The Citizen Newspaper 07/01/2020

READ FULL ARTICLE

Dr. Lucien Lombardo’s presentation to the Cayuga County Legislature, June 30, 2020:

I am here speaking to you today because the words of one member of this legislature are trying to undo or at least make more difficult the work of making Cayuga County and Auburn a fairer and more peaceful place for all of its citizens to grow, live and work!”

How can mere words to that? They do it by reinforcing prejudices; pandering to historical stereotypes and images, humiliating groups of people, attempting to prevent the empowerment of marginalized people, appealing to a past that never was and ignoring the reality of that past and its manifestations in the present.  Pitting groups of people against one another; not supporting but violating black and brown people’s inherent human dignity! Such words add to the social toxicity of the world adults in our community create for our children.

I returned to Auburn and Cayuga County 7 years ago when I retired after nearly 40 years in Virginia. Before I went to Virginia I worked as a teacher in Auburn Correctional Facility in the late 1960’s an early 1970’s.

In the prison I learned the importance of working hard to understand people and circumstances that were different from mine. I was a young white person from small town central NY and my students were primarily Black and Hispanic, young and middle aged from New York’s inner cities (or Ghettos as they were called then).

If I were going to be an effective teacher, I felt I needed to understand the world from which my students came. Central to my learning was the importance of respecting the experiences of the men I taught, not calling them names, not resorting to stereotypes as a means of understanding;  understanding their complaints, trying to find ways of empowering them in an institution and world so often structured to disempower and humiliate them because of their race and ethnicity.

From my perspective this meant supporting and not violating their human dignity! This meant using my privilege and power to help empower them with what I could teach and how I related to them as people.

When I returned to Auburn, I was amazed at the Symposium on Harriet Tubman that the Harriet Tubman Boosters organized at the community college. I saw the diverse programming at the Auburn Public Theater. I got involved with Celebrate Diverse Auburn, the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace, the Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree Project and provided programs for the Cayuga County Museum.  I saw that Auburn and Cayuga County were pro-actively working to recognize and build support for the human dignity of all citizens regardless of color and ethnicity, sexual orientation and economic position: making Cayuga County and Auburn a fairer and more peaceful place for all of its citizens to grow, live and work!”

It is incumbent upon all county leaders to take advantage of these programs to educate themselves and their constituents and not appeal to the lowest common denominator.

When a member of the county leadership undermines these efforts, it is also incumbent on the other members of the leadership to hold that member accountable!

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HTCJP chair, bill berry’s presentation to the Cayuga County Legislature, June 30, 2020:

At critical times, usually not expected, every community faces its watershed moment. This dilemma is not predicted, nor planned but its occurrence always defines and crystalizes what a community stands for, what a community believes in, what a community values and how it articulates its respect for human dignity for all members of that community.

Cayuga County and this elected body now have a watershed moment thrust upon it through the actions of one of its members. As we approach the conflicting thinking in what July 4th means particularly in a time of health and racial pandemics, as elected officials you  need to understand, internalize and fully embrace the contributions made by a race of people who look like me. You need to understand and be knowledgeable about the historical legacy of people who look like me; people who were systematically denied basic American rights. We are a people who were forced to contribute to the welfare, privilege, and protection of your ancestors, you, and your family’s pursuit of life, liberty, freedom and happiness.

Now there is a member of this legislative body who has squandered and debased the liberating spirit of Juneteenth as well as this Saturday’s Independence Day. Legislators, you can change that profound negativity and send a strong signal to all residents what this body will not tolerate, condone, or embrace.

Your silence, inaction or less then forceful condemnation of your colleague will also send a strong signal to this community especially people who look like me.  

Through the actions of one of your members, you are now mired in having to decide between ugly and derisive words by a colleague who publicly stated his archaic racist ideas or your duty to represent the best interests, hopes, aspirations of everyone who calls Cayuga County home.

Do not get caught up in misrepresentations of free speech.  Hateful words whether spoken or put in writing by any Cayuga County legislator has the explicit  purpose to denigrate, demoralize and demonize an entire segment of Cayuga County residents based on their race. That behavior cannot stand. Your colleague has now positioned  this legislative body to take significant action and impose long-standing consequences.

As an elected official, each of you are held to a higher standard. Your constituents accord you respect based on your position. Just remember, respect is not a one-way street.

Conduct by your colleague that is undeniably hateful can never be legitimized or accepted by any other elected official who is privileged to sit in a seat in this chamber. Your colleague has embarrassed this body and now compels each of you to come to grips with how you want to see this county progress.  Just know, a public or private apology is no longer enough. That pacifier has been rejected.

Now, you must determine how you want to resolve your watershed moment. I trust you will not abandon what is best for your family, your neighbors, and embrace the expanding spirit of equity for all residents and the tenets of anti-racist behavior that is beginning to permeate every area of Cayuga County. This watershed is the moment for your profile in courage and commitment to the best interests of the entire community.

Thank you.

William Berry, Jr. – Auburn resident, South Street Historic District

Chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace

View the June 30th Cayuga County Special Legislative Meeting

https://youtu.be/wqQT_CeEZyE

Message to the Auburn/Cayuga County community from bill berry, jr., Chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Peace and Justice

My fellow Board members of The Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and I thank you for your words, for your presence, for your listening, for your willingness to engage in the challenging task of planned change witnessed at the Town Hall/Listening event convened at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Auburn, NY this afternoon, Saturday, June 27th.

Our colleagues at the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP, along with other social justice organizations, private businesses and activists, join with the HTCJP. We {and the newly formed embryonic "social justice task force"}  understand the task ahead will require difficult conversations as we seek measurable change with a timetable for action that can be evaluated.

We must dissect and analyze organizational/institutional/non-profit agency/corporate words, mission statements or proposed actions that may be deficit in its intent to achieve real institutional change.

Inspiration and aspiration is no longer enough.

Meaningful action is required.

Difficult conversations will happen.

People may have to confront long held assumptions that have relegated some folks to the side of the road to look at opportunities and not have a place at the table of equity in economic, educational and the full range of social interactions. However, as a community, we have the ability to make planned change a reality. Action not words. You helped fuel that action this afternoon. Thank you.  Your words and your presence was and will continue to be empowering.

In appreciation,

bill berry, jr., chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace Board of Directors

Be George Floyd's Legacy

bill berry, jr., Chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc., speaks at a Demonstration of Solidarity for Racial Injustice Event held at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Auburn NY on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Organized by the Social Justice Task Force, partners for this event included: Auburn Cayuga Branch NAACP, Auburn Public Theatre, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace, Harriet Tubman Boosters, Human Rights Commission, Auburn Enlarged City School District, Gwen WebberMcleod - Gwen, Inc., Celebrate Diverse Auburn, City of Auburn, Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Legislature, Cayuga County Sheriff Department, and Beverly L. Smith Empowerment Initiative.

George Floyd

Say his  name.

Louder.

George Floyd stands as testament to the countless African Americans whose lives have been taken by overt and covert racists who always state that they are not driven by race, not driven by their hate, their indifference. But they are driven.

 George Floyd’s death is a testament to systemic racism and that disease is worse than  covid-19. That disease’s history spans over 400 years and society has not rushed for a vaccine. That racial disease is also silent. You may think you are disease free. You are not. You are asymptomatic. And in this moment, recognize that two pandemics are killing Black people right in front of our eyes. So…

This is my charge to each of you.

Please understand hope without action may make you feel good, but it is killing people who look like me. 

Hope without action is a temporary feel good moment and makes you think you did something…that you stood up.  Hope is not enough…not anymore.

Good intentions fail to embrace the insidious nature of generational racism and that  characteristic is in the DNA of most Americans. All too often, those feel good moments do not evolve into strategic agenda that question the lack of economic opportunities, educational equity, diversity-driven hiring initiatives for African Americans; however, our culture is appropriated by those who want to be like us but not of us.

Demonstrations are singular moments that have become repetitive activities. We shout out each time that the demonstration of the moment is the pivotal catalyst for societal change, for a new beginning, and then the next moment comes along. So, I humbly say take your passion and self-enlightenment and transition those understandings to an activity that challenges, respects but holds accountable those in authority who have been unable to change the racial history of America and your specific community. 

As chair of the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace, we ask you to become a social justice warrior and not just a bystander. Create a legacy for your children and grandchildren’s so they will not have to march and continue to demonstrate in their future. 

As you depart this sacred space grounded in George Floyd’s memory, if you fail to take progressive action; to demand significant change from those you vote for or vote out; if you fail to understand that your demonstration is the first step and not the end goal. Are you then part of the problem or the solution?

Change is difficult. And yet, you must challenge and not wait for good intentions to become your reality. This is your community. Seek strategic action. Make Auburn and America better for everyone

Be George Floyd’s legacy.

Say his name.

Louder.

Thank you. 

bill berry, jr.

June 6, 2020 Equal Rights Heritage Center Demonstration Statement

‘Be George Floyd’s Legacy:

Demonstration for racial justice held in Auburn

Kelly Rocheleau, Reporter The Citizen Newspaper 6/20/2020

READ FULL ARTICLE

Our view: Progress is real, work remains for racial justice in Cayuga County

The Citizen Editorial Board 6/7/2020

Click to read

“An excerpt from the Sunday, June 7, 2020 The Citizen’s “Our View ,“ ‘Progress is real, but work remains’

….And make no mistake that the spirit of understanding, support and unity on display at Auburn rallies did not just magically appear. Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler and Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck have been working to address longstanding concerns. A series of community forums called “Connecting Bridges” last fall brought people together for respectful but honest conversations. That program was an offshoot of a collaboration between local public safety agencies and the Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace to look at how to recruit and hire more people of color in local police and firefighting positions. Community night out programs and “Coffee with a Cop” have been held multiple times in recent years.

”

Cayuga County Legislature approves resolution to boost job applicant diversity

Photo Caption: bill berry, jr., HTCJP vice chair [at printing, currently Board chair], Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Inc., speaks in favor of a resolution before the Cayuga County Legislature to increase diversity among applicant pools for county jobs. [Photo credit: Ryan Franklin, The Citizen

Read the full article by reporter Ryan Franklin published on July 24, 2019 in The Citizen Newspaper, Auburn, NY

https://auburnpub.com/news/local/cayuga-county-legislature-approves-resolution-to-boost-job-applicant-diversity/article_bf3c83c9-3d87-5c99-8e0d-9c967d9e1e9f.html