Local law enforcement spoke this week with the organizer of two demonstrations against racism this weekend in Aspen following the death of George Floyd to ensure they will be safe. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to work with (the main organizer) as best we can to make the event safe and successful with a strong message,\u201d Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo said. \u201cI\u2019m supporting every person who\u2019s been persecuted because of race. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne voice won\u2019t change things but millions and millions will.\u201d<\/p>\n
The demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at Paepcke Park on Main Street in Aspen, according to a Thursday city news release. However, the rallies were initially set to take place at Wagner Park, and Aspen officials still hadn\u2019t received confirmation Thursday evening from organizer Jenelle Figgins of the possible change, said Aspen Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn. <\/p>\n
A phone message left Thursday for Figgins seeking comment was not returned. <\/p>\n
In any case, the two parks are not far apart. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe will do everything we can to provide a supportive and safe environment and we ask the same from participants,\u201d Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor said in the statement. \u201cAs professionals and individuals, all of us in the department recognize that the institutional racism that exists is not to be tolerated and that systemic changes need to be made nationwide.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, a memorial for Floyd titled \u201cFacing Racism and Demanding Change\u201d will be held Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lions Park in Basalt. The event may be live-streamed on the Indivisible Roaring Fork Facebook page. <\/p>\n
The cities of Aspen and the town of Basalt urged participants to wear facemasks, observe social distancing protocols and use hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the demonstration. <\/p>\n
Pitkin County Public Health Director Karen Koenemann said she wrestled with issues surrounding the protest partially because social justice and racial equality are core values of public health as a discipline. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe look at racism as a public health crisis,\u201d she said, noting that COVID-19 disproportionally targets people of color. \u201cRacial equity is a core value of our department.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koenemann also said that people \u201chave the absolute right to protest.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I am concerned about transmission of the virus and does that disadvantage people further,\u201d she said. \u201cI worry about people\u2019s health in these settings.\u201d<\/p>\n
While also asking that demonstration participants wear masks and keep a distance from each other, Koenemann also asked that people consider making silent protests. That could cut down on spread of the virus, which is spread further by shouting and singing, according to a Pitkin County epidemiologist who spoke at Thursday\u2019s county Board of Health meeting. <\/p>\n
Still, Koenemann said she hopes the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the prolonged, national reaction to it will bring about \u201cthe new not-normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to use this as an opportunity to create a different future for ourselves,\u201d she said. \u201cIs this our wake-up call?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both DiSalvo and Aspen Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn said they had heard no rumors of people coming to cause trouble. <\/p>\n
jauslander@aspentimes.com<\/p>\n