Top: Tony Vauss, Vanessa Everett and Theresa Ayers. Bottom: Elveus Sylvain and Dale Ciceron.
IRVINGTON, NJ — For the second week, Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss welcomed the community to a clergy “Prayer and Reflection” session via Facebook Live.
On June 8, the mayor welcomed guests Vanessa Everett of Deliverance Jesus Is Coming Church, Pastor Dale Ciceron of Next Level Living Word Ministries, Pastor Theresa Ayers of Holy Dove Christian Fellowship and Pastor Elveus Sylvain of New Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Vauss asked his guests for their views on Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin’s bail being set to $1.5 million in the killing of George Floyd. Everett opposed the bail.
“I don’t know if he should have bail,” Everett said. “So many in our community that have done far less have been given the requirement to meet so much more. It’s a visible offense that this man has done against one of our own. I think he should remain in prison until the time of hearing.”
While some complain that Chauvin’s bail conditions are too lenient, Ciceron is also against the idea of bail.
“No bail at all. What he did was absolutely heinous. It was vicious, it was malicious and I believe there was an intent to take this man out,” Ciceron said. “I don’t think there should be any type of freedom for this man. This was a vicious murder that was taken on this man’s life. There should be no conditions.”
Considering the charges against Chauvin, Ayers agreed with Ciceron.
“The law says innocent until proven guilty. There are videos showing that he is guilty. So, I’m trying to understand where there is a question,” Ayers said. “Unless his heart has changed, what keeps him from doing it again? He was on George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. That was evil. That was hatred. He should just be charged for what it is — murder.”
Sylvain shared the sentiments.
“We’re all hurt, and it’s hard to explain that to your children,” Sylvain said. “I believe this guy will be in jail forever. I don’t see any reason to grant freedom and have this guy post bail.”
While the collective shared the same point of view, Vauss had his own opinions.
“There’s a privilege that comes along with being white. There’s a disadvantage that comes along with being black,” Vauss said. “Nine times out of 10, if you’re pulled over, you’re scared, and that shouldn’t be. We should not be afraid for a traffic stop; we can lose our lives. The privileged don’t feel that when they’re stopped. I think sometimes we get lost in translation, because sometimes when we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ they say ‘All Lives Matter’. If ‘All Lives Matter,’ then ‘Black Lives’ are included in ‘All Lives’ and we would not be here. If ‘All Lives Matter,’ why are we here doing what we’re doing? Obviously ‘All Lives’ don’t matter to everyone. This is a moment in history. I don’t want something like this to go away in a few weeks.”
Ayers urged the community to educate itself and its youth on these matters.
“I think it’s amazing to see so many young people involved with the protests. Education is an important thing,” Ayers said. “This systemic racism is something that has been taught and passed down from generations. We are all God’s people. We’ve got a great start with the young people. We have to instill in them what the black and brown race has been through.”
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