Oh Brave New World!
Thursday, March 2, 1995 may well be the most important date of the last decade of the 20th Century. Often has it been said that our young people are the future the nation. With their idealism, industry, and intelligence they will forge the entry into a bright and shining 21st Century. Away with cynical politicians and slimy lobbyists, away with incompetent judges and sleazy lawyers, away with corrupt police; away with biased, agenda driven news media. Our young people are speaking out. They are providing leadership. It will be a dream fulfilled when they take charge. Even now they manifest the insight and sensitivity needed to accomplish the daunting task of shaping our future.
Recently, in Patterson, New Jersey, Lawrence Meyers, a 16 year old student at Eastside High was killed by a rookie housing police officer while attempting to arrest him during an undercover narcotics operation. Mr. Meyers was killed by a shot in the head and the matter is now under formal investigation. Twenty three grams of crack cocaine were recovered at the scene. Mr. Meyers had a police record for drug dealing. His death was followed by several days of sometimes violent and felonious behavior by fellow students. This included incidents of vandalism and looting. Public officials and community leaders including the always helpful Reverend Al Sharpton managed to bring a measure of calm to the situation.
To generate a more reasoned approach to the students' grievances an assembly of Eastside High was called. Among the suggestions made by students were those by:
Angel Gonzalez: "Thursday [March, 2] will be a drug free day in memory of Lawrence. The streets will be quiet in memory of Lawrence to show we care."
Skeeter Warren said that the ideal would be for all drug dealers and students to impose a ban on sales and use for the day.
Wesley Thomas, with broader vision, suggested a wider area for the moratorium on dealing and usage, "Maybe it can be a nationwide drug-free day."
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