Alexus Brown, Saratoga Resident:
Saratoga Springs Residents Criticize Assistant Chief’s Comments, Lucas Willard, WAMC, 07/07/21
“The Assistant Police Chief said that he would use his 130-year family history in this city to destroy our narrative of the racist abuse and vitriol that spreads through the conduct of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. To that I say, I have 158 years of history that shows that this very city treats its Black citizens of Saratoga Springs as second class citizens and servants. Getting chased by white vigilantes, getting punched by kids in school, getting stopped by police with no probable cause just feet from your front door. It’s absolutely disgusting to try and attempt to use white supremacist dog whistles to insinuate that the people who are leading this movement in this city are outsiders who need to be “with you or against you” when it comes to protesting for a better life for everyone — not just a few. I’m standing here before you today because my ancestors had a voice, but were not given the same opportunities that I now have. But for that, I want to thank them because they built the bridge that carried me over to the other side. This city is changing and it is time for our government to move on with it, not against it. So, I demand an apology from the Saratoga Springs Police Department and the city council, as I cannot address you all individually.”