Where Jefferson Ave. stands a year after being a protest hotspot in Rochester – Democrat & Chronicle

Rochester NY protest: Daniel Prude demonstration held

Protesters hold demonstration on Jefferson Avenue Tuesday night after Daniel Prude grand jury decision was announced.

Robert Bell, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Chimere Fullilove opened her Jefferson Avenue candy store Sept. 5, 2020, two days after the public found out about Daniel Prude's death at the hands of police. As days turned into weeks, protestorsfrom across the Rochester area took to the streets.

And about a week after the public learned ofDaniel Prude's killing by police, the demonstrations continued, and people from all through Monroe County gathered to celebrate his lifeon the same street where he died.

Those public expressions of outrage and mourning often began near Fullilove's shop because her shop Candy Galore, Food & More was mere yards away from where Prude lost his life.

Most residents who spoke withDemocrat and Chroniclesaid that they supported marches and protests, but some feel as thoughthe people and problems of Jefferson Avenue have been an afterthought in the fight for justice.

They feel as if they were not seen or listened to even while their front yards became the site of weeks of protests and increased police presence. Some said that they believed the protesters were afraid or weary of residents, while others ignored them all together.

"They came down here for one thing and one thing only," Fullilove said. "Don't be fearful of us. Don't just come down here for one thing without really knowing what goes on down here."

What goes on down Jefferson Avenue can be seen in broad daylight.

On one end of the avenue, children joyfully enjoy a school playground: their laughter and play is heard even when they're out of sight. On the other end,an open-air drug market thrives.

In the time it took reporters to walk from West Main to Bartlett Street, no less than three police cars passed. Still,a young man walkedthrough traffic offering drugs to whoever might beinterested in purchasing. Thepolice did not stop or speak to the man during the time the Democrat and Chronicle was present.Like countless other cars, the officersdroveby.

Residents said theyare primarily left to sort out problems on their own.

Fullilove initially remained optimistic about her new location, but the foot traffic she expected to be beneficialis minimal.

"When I moved into this spot, I thought I would sell a lot of candy with a school across the street," Fullilove said. "But parents won't even let their kids walk up and down the street with all the drugs and violence."

Candles line the sidewalks, altars and memorials to those who have died. The nameless memorials are tended by community members family and friends of the lost ones, in some cases, even by strangers who maintain the candles and other items.

There is not one grocery store on Jefferson Avenue nor are there any close by. Residents must leave their neighborhood and travel miles for fresh food, a task made all the more arduous if they do not have their own vehicle or means of transportation.

Elders convene for conversation and fresh air, chairs from their kitchens or living rooms are dragged outside for community time.

Bunny Williams is one of those elders surveying the neighborhood on the corner of Jefferson andCady.Jefferson Avenueis vibrant, full of people who clearly care for each other several people stop to wave or say, "Hey, Bunny! How you doing?" during the course of the Democrat & Chronicle's interview with Williams.

But it is also the site of decades of city, county and state neglect.

Williams has lived in the neighborhood for 65 years since he was born. He saidhe was present for part of Daniel Prude's interactionwith Rochester Police in March 2020 that ultimately led to his death.

Williams said he believes that if it weren't for the wave of people who came to his neighborhood to protest police brutality and city inaction, Prude's death would have remained unacknowledged.

"If they hadn't come down here, nothing was going to be done about it," Williams said. "The mayor knew, and she ignored it."

Williams said that RPD's recent instances of police brutality or excessive force including Prude's death, thepepper-spraying a 9-year old child and the tacticsused on protesters is the worst that he's seen in all his years living in the city. Police will be responsible for another person's deathunless something more substantial is done to curb police violence against members of his community, he said.

"It's going to happen again," Williams said. "Doesn't matter how many people come down here to protest. Just watch; it's going to happen again."

Recently, news broke that only one of the seven officers suspended for their roles in the death of Daniel Prude will face potential discipline from the Rochester Police Department after an internal investigation.

"If they can bring departmental charges against one, why not the rest of them?" Joe Prude said when reached by a reporter.

Last year, during the protests, demonstrators called for Mayor Lovely Warren's resignation because of her involvement in obfuscating the public's knowing about the Prude case. Though it wasn't directly because of her handling of Prude's death, by early DecemberWarren will resign from office after pleading guiltyto a campaign finance charge.

The definition of justice is different for everyone affected by last year's turmoil. While police reform or abolition is top of the list for most, some of those on Jefferson Avenue are primarily concerned with their quality of life, citing a need for fresh food and access to more opportunities.

While echoes of the Prude demonstrations linger, residents like Sean Brown saidthe gun violence tormenting the community needs the same energy.

"You can't just protest every time a cop kills someone," Brown said. "You got to protest for it all. Black lives matter, right?"

This was a critique some had of the protests last year, though it warrants reminding that community organizations within the city of Rochester, like Community Justice Initiative , do both. CJI actively protested the death of Daniel Prude and the pepper-spraying of the child, while also holding "Feed the People" events and events to end violence in the community. Other organizations, like People's Liberation Program, are working to establish and sustain a grocery program in the 19th Ward and PLEX neighborhoods.

On March 23, the first anniversary of Daniel Prude's death, Niya Shabazz, an organizer with CJI, participated in protests at the East Avenue Wegmans. At the time, Shabazz responded to accusations that demonstrators only care about the community when a someone dies at the hands of police.

"Where were they the last couple of months when CJI had a stop the violence campaign?" she asked. "Join us or reach out to a young person you think may need some guidance. We believe in holding each other accountable. We just don't attack racism. We attack all facets of oppression."

Brown and Williams both said they want answers on how guns are reaching the community and why nothing is being done about that by city and state officials, as the ongoing violence suggests to the two residents.

While Jefferson Avenue deals with the dual realities of the threat of violence fromthe police department and violenceby members of thecommunity, residents who spoke with the Democrat and Chronicle said justice centers on safety, opportunityand a constant push for awareness.

Those residents living on and around Jefferson Avenue said theywant not only to survive, but to thrive and that takes buy-in, concern and care not only from community members themselves but from those who drop into support them during a time of crisis.

"We can't just gather around when it's a tragedy," Fullilove said. "We need to gather people from all walks of life to come down here and ask us why.

"Why are these tragedies happening in this neighborhood?"

Adria R. Walker covers public education for the Democrat and Chronicle in partnership with Report for America. Follow her on Twitter at @adriawalkr or send her an email at arwalker@gannett.com. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

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Where Jefferson Ave. stands a year after being a protest hotspot in Rochester - Democrat & Chronicle