Let's Make Sure Racism Has No Place in Newtown!

As reported in the Patch, “Police in Newtown Borough said they're investigating an incident that occurred outside of the Starbucks on State Street Monday,” June 2, 2020 (read “Incident In Front Of Newtown Starbucks Under Investigation”).

The “incident” involved a white male who confronted a 22-yo woman of “Asian descent” - according to police - who was posting/distributing #BlackLivesMatter flyers. Cell phone video shows him running into her and hitting her phone from her hand. See video on FB here.

Regardless of what the flyers said or the legality of posting them in Newtown, such behavior should not be tolerated especially when it involves a man assaulting a young woman.

The Newtown Borough Police said their investigation would be complete by Friday, June 5. Many people are questioning why it would take so long given the video and bystander evidence. “I don’t understand how it could possibly take 5 days to investigate this,” said Ryan Barnes in a Facebook post.

UPDATE (June 26, 2020): I just learned that ;Vincent Lewis, 63, of Newtown - who was charged with harassment and criminal mischief as a result of this incident - will plead not guilty and a hearing of this case will be held in District Court in Newtown on July 22, 2020, at 2.45 pm. DISTRICT JUSTICE: PETRUCCI 28 N. STATE STREET NEWTOWN, PA 18940 PH#: 215-968-1657

Was This a Racial Incident?

The girl’s mother said in her Facebook post, which was shared nearly 300 times: “Do you think this white couple will do the same thing with white kids if they were putting the same posters? I really think people have to drastically change their thinking and support humanity, not racism.”

Whether you believe this assault had racial undertones or not, residents should be aware of racial issues right here in Newtown and change their thinking about racism and do more to prevent it. That is the goal of the Newtown Township Human Relations Commission (NTHRC), which plans to put racism front and center at its June 17th Zoom meeting on racism (more about that below).

Voices Are Being Heard

Below are some comments I have received from people who have told me that they plan to attend the NTHRC meeting:

“I am a resident of Newtown for 30 years and my family has personally seen it , heard it and felt it everyday living here . My own two daughters never felt save in the High school and we had many incidents that were never addressed to our satisfaction . Which led me to start the concerned citizens group of CRSD.”

“As a Black female living in this community, I remain frightened for my husband, son, father as well as my daughters and myself. I'm interested to hear firsthand how these issues are being addressed in our community.”

“We are part of the 2% of African Americans living in Newtown/Richboro and are deeply impacted by the recent events and overall racism that we and other black families have experienced here in Newtown. We would like to see the Committee urge the Newtown Police Department to release a statement reassuring its black residents that they are safe and all will be treated equally.”

“We are the only black family in our development, and one of a hand full in the area. I want to make sure that this area has processes, programs, resources available so that my family can live here safely. One of my children was being picked on in first grade. My husband is a black man who runs, bikes, etc in the area and we need to feel safe.”

“As an African-American woman who was a child during the 1960s, came of age during the 1970s. I've experienced and still experience racism, discrimination, bigotry and prejudice in a variety of ways and am still learning insights to all the detailed intricate and less obvious aspects of microaggresions, unconscious bias and systemic racism.”

“Because I’ve been calling out these systemic issues within policing for nearly 2 decades only to be harassed by the very people I’m calling out because they are the law. Harassed by those that are supposed to protect and serve. Who will police the police? I have been especially concerned about the clear prejudices of certain officers, and the complete lack of diversity within the Newtown PD. The time has come to hold them accountable for everything, even the smallest of infractions.”

“I want to help to eradicate racism in our community and our country. I have friends and family from all different backgrounds and with all different skin colors, and right now I fear for their safety. I'm a white woman, and my husband is Arab and identifies as brown. I worry for him and our 2 children and how they will be treated, because of their names or how they look. Our country is supposed to stand for freedom and hope for everyone and I want to be sure I a doing my part to help achieve those ambitious goals.”

“I am a 57 year old white privileged woman. I will never experience the pain, the fear or the anger that people of color, underprivileged minorities feel everyday. The events of this week are sickening and enough is enough. I am interested in finding out how Newtown Township is dealing with racism, criminal justice, police brutality’s day. I need to educate myself to effect change as best I can. But it starts at the local and county level.”

“As someone who works in Newtown and has both parents and parents in-law living in Newtown I’m concerned about the way the Newtown community has responded to racism in the past. Also having friends who are people of color living in and making positive contributions to the Newtown community I’m concerned for them and their families.”

“I am an African American female who was born and raised in Bensalem. Racism is no stranger to me, but it has helped to make me the strong woman I am today, determined to get involved to make a change!”

Get Involved, Make A Change

Just a few days prior to this incident, the NTHRC decided to dedicate its June 17 Zoom public meeting to discussing racism and what can be done to ensure that racism has no place in Newtown and that incidents such as the above are not tolerated by local police who represent the whole community, not just the privileged white majority. The Newtown Human Relations Commission met at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 17, 2020, via Zoom.

Find a transcript of the meeting here.