JUNETEENTH FREEDOM MARCH - june 20, 2020

Led by Youth Organizers Mike Alert, Jahnessa Mackey, and Justice Brantley

Mike Alert, a Kite's Nest alum and community leader, had a vision. He envisioned that the Hudson and Catskill communities would put aside their long-held rivalries and unite around a shared movement: Black Lives Matter. He imagined hundreds of people gathering on the powerful holiday of Juneteenth on both sides of the Rip Van Winkle bridge, marching along the Skywalk to meet in the middle to form a human bridge. He envisioned the marches being lead by Black youth from each community, giving speeches, reading poetry, leading chants, singing songs, and hanging giant banners to say:

Defend Black Life. Defund the Police. Fund Black Futures.

Mike and his co-organizers brought this vision to life on Saturday June 20, 2020. We are so proud to support the leadership of these young leaders and to help make this powerful event happen. This is what the power of Black youth looks like. There is leadership. There is vision. There is collaboration. There is joy. There is strategy. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to nurture, fuel, and breathe life into this power.

Missed it? Check out our photo galleries and videos from the event below!

Help us nurture youth leaders for a just future.

Across the country, Black youth and youth of color are taking the lead. They are demanding the end of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence. They are putting their bodies on the line to demand that we divest from policing and instead invest in their lives and futures. As adult allies, it's our responsibility to ensure that inspired and activated youth have the resources and support they need to lead community action and fight for real change. This is just the beginning. Imagine what is possible if we really invest in young peoples' voices and visions for change as well as in their long-term wellbeing. Join us in now supporting youth to build collective power for years to come.