By CHRIS COLLINS
(Greenfield, MA) — A former Greenfield City Councilor says he wants to rename Court Square “Black Lives Matter” Square.
Greenfield attorney Mark Berson, who briefly represented Precinct 2 on the council, says he believes the change has merit, given the ongoing discussions regarding race in the wake of the killing of Minneapolis residents George Floyd allegedly at the hands of police in that city.
“This may be just the right time to do this,” Berson said. “As it is, that square isn’t really properly named because there are no courts located anywhere near there.”
Berson took the idea to At Large Councilor Phil Elmer, who admitted to being “intrigued” by the idea, but ultimately decided he was the wrong person to bring it forward to the full body.
“I looked at it and ultimately felt I was the wrong person,” Elmer said, adding that he brought the idea to At Large Councilor Penny Ricketts, the council’s lone African American member, who ultimately passed on sponsoring the change.
“It’s been hard enough to share experiences with a community I truly love serving,” Ricketts said. “Renaming a street does not erase wrongdoings or prevent racism from continuing.”
“My only goal is to bring people together and keep talking,” Ricketts added. “It’s time for everyone to find some common ground….we are neighbors and friends first.”
Council President Ashil Stempel-Rae declined to comment on the proposed change, which she says “does not have a sponsor,” something Berson hopes will eventually change.
“I’m hopeful that maybe some publicity might get the conversation going on this, and someone else may decide to put it forward,” Berson said. “My intent is not to make this a divisive or contentious issue, but to have a conversation about something that is a pretty important topic right now all over this country.”