LIHU‘E — Horns blared incessantly, motorcycles screamed their high-pitched street sounds, and the street cars growled Saturday to greet the several thousand people who gathered for a Black Lives Matter peaceful rally along Rice Street and ‘Eiwa Street, overflowing the lawn of the Historic County Building to include the Kaua‘i Museum grounds.
“I didn’t expect this kind of turnout,” said Tiffany Sagucio, the reigning 2019 Miss Kaua‘i Filipina. “When I saw all the people, I wanted to cry — I was so happy. I’m so glad the community came out to show solidarity with the black community.”
The crowd, including a large portion of teens, rallied around Black Lives Matter, a movement brought back into the international spotlight after George Floyd was killed while in custody of the police in Minneapolis late last month. The incident has sparked protests and peaceful marches against police brutality, injustice and racism around the world (see related stories and photos, A4 and A5).
A caller kept the energy buzzing, walking up and down Rice Street that was filled on both sides with BLM sign-waving advocates. The energy was fueled by the incessant car horns blaring, punctuated by runs of street motorcycles and street cars cherry-bombing the crowd to action.
“I got help from my friend Mayumi Fulgencio, who organized the environmental sign-waving campaign last year,” Sagucio said.
“I’m still learning about this whole Black Lives Matter and everything. But living here in Hawai‘i is a privilege because we are away from those traumatic events that are happening in other parts of the country, and in the world,” she said.
“People here have aloha and
respect for each other, and I’m hoping that this small thing can have an impact in changing things. When I heard about George Floyd, I realized we need to improve things. Black Lives Matter — they’re human beings.”
Sagucio said she also got sponsorship from the YWCA of Kaua‘i, which offered a tent with small-kine refreshments and a resource table that included a book she put together with a listing of resources.
Earlier in the morning, it was reported that about 300 people participated in a peaceful paddle-out in Hanalei (see the story below) to honor the slain Floyd. Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck was one of the featured speakers at that paddle-out before making his way to join other KPD officers in Lihu‘e.
“It’s great to see the community come together to peacefully talk about all the pain and frustration we’re all feeling right now,” Raybuck said before turning his attention to other people wanting a few words with the chief.
Lexi Jones of The KQNG Radio Group agreed.
“It’s so amazing to see the community come together like this,” she said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Pain and frustration?! Theses people are enjoying life on the islands which was only made possible to them by white oppression.
Can’t change the world by hating Whites.
There is nothing about hating whites in this movement. This is about bringing justice to the oppressed.
Who are the oppressors?
If you want to save black lives, protest the black on black crime. Protest abortion.
I’m not jesting. I mean it.
Ppl are misinformed abt BLM. https://www.christianpost.com/news/blm-leaders-practice-witchcraft-and-summon-dead-spirits-black-activist-warns.html
The BLM founder says she talks to spirits of the dead.
There is a certain subsection of “Whites” who believed they could change the world by hating everyone else.
Supporting black people is not tantamount to hating white people. You should take some time to think about why the two are equivalent in your mind.
You’re insecure.
In my opinion it was a great day and Kauai and it’s people never looked better. I was at the demonstration and I marvelled at the the young teens, people with little babies, families with children, kapuna, and it was just us! The park was filled with People who care for not only their own future but the future of their fellow citizens. Yesterday was Aloha in action!!! Right on, Kaua’i
Well said! This is what makes Kauai such a special place. It’s people care about each other equally as they care for themselves.
The notion that blacks are widely oppressed by another group is complete bs. African Americans are highly revered as athletes in every major sport, in music – many of whom have lyrics using a racial slur among other profanities, in film and in political or social roles. In addition schools and many companies welcome them with open arms to fill “diversity” initiatives.
It’s not the 1960s, over 50 years ago. I’m going to say it, the reason for a disparity is, in my opinion, a product of popular culture within the black community itself. Glorifying thug life, drugs and money.
So why weren’t all these people arrested for not following anti-social distancing? Or is this only reserved for people who are laying on the beach? What a load of hypocrisy and discrimination. Ironic that this demonstration was all about discrimination. How many more months of wearing masks where none are needed do we have to endure. There are no cases of CV-19 and haven’t been for 2 months on our island. Mayor, drop the pretense and allow our island to return to normal. Maintain the two week quarantine on incoming visitors including incoming military personnel who are currently exempt. Plug the leaks and avoid the flood.
Protestors wore masks, were peaceful, it was actually a beautiful moment, as was the Hanalei paddle out. Why the hate and divisiveness? We understand we’re blessed with a great PD and Mayor, yet realize many are not so lucky.
Tim, I agree with you that it was a beautiful moment. It would have been an even better moment if no one had been required to wear a mask. How many people, including the WHO, Dr. Fauci, the CDC and many doctors have to say that wearing a mask benefits no one and is actually harming healthy people by forcing them to re-breathe carbon dioxide and concentrate their own bacteria and viral particles, causing their immune system to be depressed and thereby less able to combat the virus before they believe it. Only sick people should wear a mask, and then only when they are around other people. They should be staying home anyway. By the way, the N95 mask has a one way valve that vents the person’s exhalation directly outward without any filtration to protect you the bystander. Bottom line, unless we have a significant resurgence. there is NO need to continue wearing a mask. Hopefully our blessed, omnipotent mayor will receive enlightenment soon.
So if u are a protester, social distancing doesn’t apply to u but if u want to go to church and worship GOD u are a selfish sob.
We have a right to protest BLM just like you have the right to protest the virus… People need to stop deflecting.
This is sad. There is a pandemic going and how many of these people were wearing masks? Where is the responsibility?? Where is the concern for the kupuna and the keiki? All these people come to island for the aloha yet have no clue what real aloha is.