On August 13, 2023, people gathered in front of the Saratoga Springs downtown Post Office with, as reported by the Times Union, “messages of tolerance and vociferous support for people of color, the LGBTQ community as well as Muslims, Jews, and other targets of the extreme right.” The rally was prompted by a brief appearance downtown on August 5 by a group who identified themselves as the Proud Boys.
One might ask, who would condemn a peaceful and earnest crowd calling for tolerance?
Oddly, the answer is the local group that identifies itself as Saratoga Black Lives Matter. In a lengthy and densely worded manifesto posted on their facebook page the group states:
“…we feel compelled to speak out against the….counter protest organized by individuals on Sunday.”
[The entire BLM statement appears at the end of this post.]
BLM Objects to Organizer’s Call for Civility
Apparently one of the major objections BLM had to the rally organized by Linda LeTendre, a white woman, was the list of ground rules she announced for the event.
According to the Times Union
“The group Sunday was peaceful and the proceedings began with a list of ground rules read aloud by the organizer, Linda LeTendre. Attendees were not to vandalize, use profanity, make threats of or engage in any physical violence.”
Times Union August 13, 2023
In response, BLM’s Statement called these ground rules “counterproductive and unjust“. They wrote on their facebook page:
“Setting rules for participants to be ‘respectful’ and ‘friendly’ to law enforcement during a protest…is deeply problematic.”
According to BLM Ms. LeTendre’s ground rules constituted “tone policing”. By tone policing they apparently mean, requiring participants to speak civilly to each other and the community and eschewing intemperate foul language and making threats. They wrote:
“Saratoga BLM understands that there is a clear divide between the strategies and goals of Black Liberation organizations versus many white social justice groups, however the language used when organizing this counter-rally was both counterproductive and unjust. Tone policing Black activists dismisses the deeply rooted emotions and righteous anger that arise from generations of systemic racism and oppression. Suppressing the raw and unfiltered expression of these feelings undermines the authenticity of our demands and detracts from the urgency of addressing the very issues we are protesting against.
-BLM Statement, August 17,2023
BLM Objects to Leadership Role of White People in Organizing the Rally
In their statement BLM also objects to the “…centering of white voices and their desires during the counter-protest.” According to the manifesto, attempts by white people to organize against intolerance somehow suppresses those discriminated against in our society.
The BLM post asserts that “…elevating white voices to the front inadvertently creates an environment where privileged perspectives dominate, suppressing the agency and leadership of those who are most effected by the issues at hand.“
And
“It is vital to understand that centering white individuals in social justice movements does not merely reflect an innocent desire for inclusivity, it can result in profound consequences that hinder progress. Instead, the path forward involves actively listening to marginalized voices, amplifying their stories, and supporting their leadership.”
BLM Statement August 17, 2023
While at one point their statement acknowledges that “The struggle we are facing is a great one, which…requires collective action…” they seem to be saying here that actions should only take place under their leadership, that white leadership of any movement or organization for social justice can “hinder progress”. Would this then in their view eliminate a white trans person, a white disabled person, a white Muslim, etc. from leadership positions or does this only apply to white women?
BLM Blames Past Council Members and One Current City Official for Presence of Proud Boys
Without being specific BLM blames former Mayor Meg Kelly, former Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton, and current Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino for the Proud Boys “feeling…..welcome” in Saratoga Springs.
They wrote:
The actions taken by individuals such as Robin Dalton, Meg Kelly, and Jim Montagnino throughout their time in office are in direct connection to neo-nazi organizations feeling as though they are welcome to come into our communities to spread (sic) biggoted messaging.
BLM Statement August 17, 2023
BLM does not describe what specifically these three city officials have done to make the Proud Boys feel welcome nor do they explore why the Proud Boys also “felt welcome” in Waterford and Ballston Spa where they also marched on the same day. According to the press this particular group of Proud Boy belong to a Troy chapter which would seem to make Troy even more welcoming than Saratoga Springs. No sign of BLM calling out any of those city officials, though.
The Complete BLM Statement
cc Full Document
Saratoga Springs Politics 
This weekend marks 10 years since the tragic injury that Darryl Mount suffered while fleeing from police. He had assaulted his girlfriend while in the presence of two officers who were obligated to intercede. He ran into a dark construction site and was found fewer than 6 minutes later. Once he was found at the base of scaffolding and his injuries were assessed, the police immediately summoned the SSFD who stabilized him and transported him to the Albany Medical Center Trauma Center. He passed away nearly nine months later.
The incident was fully investigated by the SSPD with no indication whatsoever that the circumstances around Darryl’s injuries were anything more than an accident which must have taken place while Darryl was crawling through the construction site.
There is a ceremony in Congress Park taking place today to remember the Darryl Mount incident. The local BLM chapter states that “The death of Darryl Mount is a foundational pillar to the work of Saratoga BLM, and his legacy continues to be a driving force for change in our community.”
The scenario in the early morning hours of August 31, 2013 had nothing to do with race. The police responded as Darryl assaulted his girlfriend because they were attempting to prevent further injury to the young woman. Nothing that occurred during those 6 minutes had anything to do with Darryl’s race. It had to do with the fact that Darryl was physically assaulting another person whom happened to be his girlfriend. An act of domestic violence, yes. A racial incident, no. Why is this the basis for BLM’s local activities?
Chris Mathiesen
LikeLiked by 3 people
Saratoga BLM reminds me of the Ecumenical Revolutionary Army from the movie “Network.” They’re basically publicity seekers and, as I’ve said earlier, Daryl Mount is their Tawana Brawley — facts to the contrary, along with their lawsuits, it keeps them in the news.
LikeLike
A. Who wrote the “Statement”?
B. Why is this statement any more important, or newsworthy, than a statement I might write.
C. Chris, let it go. Let it go.
LikeLike
Because you are a better writer😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a statement issued by the local BLM which was released in today’s Timers Union.
It apparently is more newsworthy than a statement that HENRY37 might have issued because it did appear as part of a report on the Darryl Mount remembrance in today’s Times Union. There was no mention of HENRY37 statements in the story.
I am not sure what you mean by ‘let it go’. Facts are facts. The truth is the truth. When facts are distorted or ignored and the truth is substituted for misinformation, people can be hurt. Police officers and investigators who were doing their jobs and following protocol ought not have their reputations sullied by lies and misinformation. The trust that a community has in its police department should not be undermined by falsehoods and vicious attacks. If ‘letting it go’ means turning my back on those who have been unfairly accused of wrongdoing, then I prefer not to ‘let it go’.
Chris Mathiesen
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chris, “let it go” was said because you have hammered your Daryl Mount message on this blog so many times. It’s well established that the SSPD did nothing wrong in the Mount tragic accident. We get it. BLM doesn’t get it. I meant no disrespect to you, I just feel you need to move on and put the Mount case in the rear-view mirror.
LikeLike
Good question, Henry 37. Lexis Figuereo is now calling himself the Executive Director of BLM but it seems unlikely that he composed this “Statement.” Perhaps the author is the candidate they are now running for public office?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Back in the pre-Internet days, a local commentator quipped that most political lobby groups in NY State consisted of “two guys and a fax machine.”
Is Saratoga BLM and it’s “Executive Director” anything more than Lexis Figuereo, his sister, and a facebook account?
LikeLike
Had enough of subversive groups like the PB’s and WS’s. Just fade away into oblivion.
LikeLike
More Malarkey from BLM.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sad that Darryl Mount died. Sadder that BLM keeps pretending that police killed him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Robin, Meg, Jim and your name is going to be added soon John.
Saratoga BLM is a hate group, and ignorant small group whose lives are so lousy that this is all they have.
Their hatred is damaging our city’s reputation because no one on the council besides Jim has called out their BS.
Our city is not perfect, but it’s not racist, our police are not murderers, and it is a place I was proud to raise our family for the past 35 years. Let’s not let a few, (very few) jealous, ignorant and foul mouthed anarchists ruin it.
Thanks again John for your reporting.
Cheers
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with BobW.
Chris Mathiesen
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you want respect, then you have to give respect. There is none at the City Council meetings.
LikeLike
Finally we have someone who calls out the Saratoga BLM and our city council . Mayor Kim is a disgrace to our city. I wonder why he is so obliging to BLM and their so called activist leader. All Lexis Figuereo wants is publicity for himself. His repeated claims about Daryl Mount’s death shows that he has nothing else to come up with. He uses the media (and an ACLU lawyer) to keep this nonsense going.
LikeLike