Say their names, memorial exhibit brings healing, recovery , solidarity and prevention to Houston

The," Say their names" traveling memorial has arrived the City of Houston from Portland, Oregon where it started through many other cities bringing with it, and identification with the past and now, the faces and names of African Americans who have died from police brutality and violence, motivated by pride and prejudice related to racism. It brings with it healing through words of comfort to the bereaving families who were present in the opening event, societal solidarity as other none black communities like Latinos, watching the picture and face of Vannesa Guillen, one of theirs killed by a soldier, and listening to a Latino speaker calling for solidarity with blacks, and speaking against Latinos who talk bad about African Americans, to heed the words of Ceasar Chavez, Chavez that after they come for them, they will come for us too.
Other speakers used the opening ceremony to ask that, the memorial become an opportunity to stop the killings and prevent the numbers increasing above the 230 faces in
the Emancipation park grounds.
Activist Trae Tha Truth was congratulated by mayor Sylvester Turner and Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee for helping to bring the traveling memorial to Houston.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said " You cannot take that walk without feeling their spirit and in many ways, they are very much alive".
Congress Woman Jackson Lee spoke of the importance of the memorial presence and what those faces in photographs symbolized, they are lives of real persons.
The president of the Emancipation park thanked the organizers for choosing the Emancipation park that was founded by African Americans in third ward of Houston. The president said , had each of them lived, they would have contributed to their communities and USA or country. I am
Libations were poured as the names of Botham and few others were called.
Botham, s mother spoke about their pains, sorrows, and grief since their son was killed in 2018 by a police officer in his apartment.
The exhibition opens to the public on Tuesday 29th September 2020 for public view and walks until October 6th at Emancipation Park Third Ward Houston, TX.
Dr. Akwo, Ntuba Thompson