Editor’s note: Anthony Cogliano is Saugus Board of Selectmen chairman.
The Saugus Unity Rally planned for Thursday was canceled when one of the groups involved decided to take the event in another direction.
I got involved in the discussion early on because I believe everyone has a right for his or her voice to be heard. I offered my support to facilitate and sponsor the event with the blessing of the Saugus Police Department.
We planned a route for a march which would end at Stackpole field where speakers would be set up so both sides could let their feelings be known. I was going to speak, as well as other town officials.
Both groups decided on Saugus Unity Rally/Protest as the name of the event and a flier was made for advertisement. The event also supported Black Lives Matter.
After discussing the final arrangements with the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Saugus Police Chief, an additional flier was posted with the name ACAB on it, “All Cops are Bastards.” Of course I was upset, as was the other group that decided to walk away from the event. I followed suit. I am all for supporting the youth of this community but I will not put my name on something I don’t believe in.
Having said that, I believe they are continuing on their path for a peaceful protest and hope they keep it that way. As a 53-year-old white male who has lived in Saugus my entire life, I have never seen anything racially motivated in this town and hope I never do.
What happened to Mr. Floyd was horrific and I hope those involved pay dearly for their lapse in judgement. Equally disturbing to me are the riots, looting, and killings that have ensued from the protests. We are better than this. What should have been a rallying cry to unite our country has further divided us. We don’t have to have the same political views, but we have to respect each other as equals.
You wanted a forum and a means to express your feelings so do it in a way that gets your point across and makes the town proud at the same time.
I wish you the best in your efforts.
Anthony Cogliano
Saugus