Vigils for George Floyd spark conversation about racism in Haines and Skagway

Local residents came together over the past two days to honor the life of George Floyd, a black man who was killed while unarmed when a Minnesota policeman kneeled on his neck for over 7 minutes. Floyd’s death has prompted widespread protests and riots followed by violent backlashes from police across the nation. As KHNS’ Henry Leasia reports, the vigils held in Haines and Skagway were subdued. 

About 150 people gathered at Skagway City Hall on Monday evening to participate in a candlelit vigil for George Floyd. The event drew young and old, men and women. Some brought signs. Skagway Police chief Ray Leggit attended to pay his respects, dressed in plain clothes. 

“Thank you for being here today during a monumental and challenging time in history,” said Megan Mcgrail, one of the events organizers. “Thank you for coming out to honor the life of George Floyd and protest the unjust murders of unarmed black americans at the hands of police all across the nation.”

After some brief opening remarks from Mcgrail, the crowd stood in silence for 7 minutes in recognition of the time that Floyd spent asphyxiated beneath the knee of the police officer in Minneapolis.  

Mcgrail said she has never been involved in political activism but felt an obligation to mobilize in Skagway after seeing what was happening in other cities around the country. 

“Half of me feels safe up here in a weird way like we’re very sheltered from what’s going on in the lower-48 just as far as the violence and the intense police state, but I also feel very guilty for not being there,” Mcgrail said. 

Floyd’s death has reignited outrage over the extrajudicial killing of black people by police in the United States. 

Even though very few black people live in Skagway, Mcgrail feels it is important for rural communities to show they are paying attention to the issue. 

She said she and other organizers considered other ways to make a statement such as marching or protesting, but they felt a moment of silence would draw more participants.

“We wanted to get as many people out as possible just to show solidarity. We want it to be documented that there are people here that really care,” Mcgrail said.

Haines residents scheduled a similar event the day after the vigil in Skagway. About a hundred people gathered at the tribal house stage in the Fort Seward parade grounds where a small altar was set up. 

After sharing a moment of silence, several participants took to the stage to share their experiences with racism and ways to address it.

Meghan Hart was one of the organizers. She said she hopes white people will acknowledge that while they are comfortable in their community, that might not be everyone’s experience. 

“I think the question for our entire country, no matter the size of our community, is what are the experiences of non-white persons with law enforcement, and how do they feel?” Hart said.

Hart added that it will be up to young people to initiate these difficult conversations. 

“I feel like my generation is really here to kind of uncover and unveil these deep wounds,” Hart said. “A lot of people have lost their lives to bring attention to this and I just hope that enough lives have been lost and destroyed and we can start seeing long-lasting change and effective change.”

At the end of the 7 minute silence in Skagway, Mcgrail had a similar message for the crowd. She said now is time to do the work.