Tuesdays with Bobbi: Dear Vecino, #ICantBreathe

PRESS RELEASE 

Joint Statement from 3 of the Hit and Run Victims at a “Black Lives Matter” Demonstration at Riverside’s Festival of Lights

“We participated in a peaceful 'black lives matter demonstration' to gather with community members to highlight the public law enforcement practices that we believe are the product of systemic and societal racial discrimination. It was a demonstration to bring that message to Riverside, as others
have done and are doing throughout the country.

“Some members of the public openly expressed anger at the mostly black and Latino demonstrators. Protestors were yelled at, a Latina speaker was assaulted by a passer-by, and two men actively and violently pushed and shoved a number of people. And ultimately, we, along with others were plowed into by a white male driving a BMW. These actions only underscore how our society's consciousness view people of color differently.

“We thank the Riverside Police team for blocking off the street as the protest continued and their increased presence may have prevented further physical attacks from those in the public who disagreed."

“The narrative that it might have been accidental, or that the driver was gently trying to get through traffic is not accurate. The vehicle in front of the driver had made a u-turn. A few of us witnessed the female passenger in the car frantically yelling at the driver to stop.

“Finally, we ask for equal treatment and all due diligence by police no matter the race of the suspect or victims, or the reason for the public demonstration.”

Gloria, Nikke and Bobbi