Staff Sgt. Jim Fleming coordinates the public order unit with the Saint John Police Force. (Photo credit: Brad Perry/CHSJ News)
The Saint John Police Force is expecting a big crowd for Sunday afternoon’s Black Lives Matter movement rally at King’s Square.
The force’s Community Conflict Management Team has been working with organizers to assist in planning the event.
Staff Sergeant Jim Fleming is the Public Order Unity Commander of the conflict management squad. He says their job is to ensure the organizer’s voices are heard.
“We want (organizers) to be able to get their message out, because the message is important,” said Fleming.
The rally will feature speeches from Mayor Don Darling, poet Clyde Wray, MLA Wayne Long, and more. Following the speeches, the group will walk down to City Hall, where they will observe a moment of silence for the victims of anti-black racism, like George Floyd and Regis Korchinski-Paquet.
Fleming says working with the Black Lives Matter group has been “exceptional,” as the force has helped them cut through red tape in order to hold the rally in accordance with city bylaws.
The force has prepared for the possibility of counter-protesters attempting to protest the event.
“If we have to make an arrest, or somebody gets arrested, or that message gets hijacked, the way we look at it is: we, as a community, have failed,” Fleming said.
The force hasn’t heard about any threats to Sunday’s rally, but they encourage residents to report any type of hate speech or threats on social media, or heard in a conversation.
“We put that into our ‘intelligence cauldron’, and stir it all up,” Fleming said. “And then we come out with ideas about who we should be watching – if there’s anybody.
At the rally, Fleming’s focus will be on the tactical response, but he says the message being shared by the group is an important one.
“As a frontline police officer, anytime we have an opportunity to stand in King’s Square and talk to folks, that’s an opportunity we all get to learn what can I do for you, and what can you do for me.”
If you are attending the SJ Black Lives Matter movement this afternoon, 2pm in Kings Square, options for parking include Peel Plaza, Sydney Street lot behind Service NB and former Coast Guard Site on Water Street. Be safe and have a great day!
— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) June 14, 2020
