If you’ve ever traveled to Italy, then you know that every town, village, and city — large and small — has a piazza, or town square. The fact that they are located at the very heart of any village or city is not by accident. They are not only the physical center of the place, but they’re also a cultural/political hub and have been for centuries. In essence, piazze are places where citizens still go to mingle, talk, listen, exchange ideas, debate politics, get important information, and are entertained.
Perhaps the most famous example of this is the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy. Since the Renaissance, the residents of Firenze have used the piazza as a place to hear official announcements, debate and discuss legislation and news, and to view great art. A replica of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The David, now stands in the spot in the piazza where it originally stood centuries ago. It has become a tourist mecca.
Interestingly, it’s a concept that even exists in America today. Many municipalities, both great and small, have town squares at their heart. They basically serve the same purpose as the ones I described in Italy. Nyack is no exception. Known as Hezekiah Easter Square, it is named in honor of the first Black man elected to the Rockland County legislature. He was a WWII veteran, civil rights Icon, and a champion of preserving local Black history like Mount Moore Cemetery. I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient of that honor.
Through the years, it has been the site of numerous community activities — from holiday celebrations to concerts, a seasonal flower market, important announcements, political speeches, and activities of all kinds. Lately, it has been a hotbed for political demonstrations, particularly protesting the current Trump administration’s policies. A few weeks ago, I witnessed a large, peaceful gathering organized by local Nyack High School students to protest ICE policies and procedures. The protest was largely supported by most but, of course, there were detractors who could not see the value in students exercising their First Amendment rights.
Recently, another rally was held there. It was organized as a sing-along where people gathered to share songs of peace and love. Organizers said it was in response to the ongoing war with Iran.
I was not there, but it was described as very well-attended and peaceful. However, on social media I saw a video recorded that afternoon that was disturbing. An outraged woman was basically screaming in the face of one of the attendees. Later identified as a Nyack resident (no need to identify her), she shouted her support for the president at the chorus.
A voice from behind the camera urged her to calm down by emphasizing that the singing and the demonstration were peaceful. Instead of soothing the woman, it just seemed to enrage her more. She said many things like a threat to “bring 50 Trump supporters to teach them a lesson,” but perhaps the most egregious was: “You should all die.”
Now, it is on record that I am a huge proponent of the First Amendment. And, yes, that includes so-called hate speech. In fact, the amendment was written with that in mind. However, that does not include the threat of violence against any individual or group.
This goes beyond just a legal or constitutional issue. It’s about morality and civility. It seems that we have entered an era where kindness is equated with weakness, willful ignorance with proof, arrogance with respect, and volume with intelligence. It’s beneath the legacy of the man this bastion of community activity is named for: Hezekiah Easter.
Frank LoBuono is a Nyack resident, photographer, blogger and retired CBS News journalist.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are those of this independent writer and not the Nyack News & Views editorial staff. We welcome submissions from anybody who is interested in publishing their thoughts, ideas and perspectives about issues facing our community, both large and small. Please send submissions to info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
Photo credit: George Pejoves