NEWSChannel 2 has been made aware of rumors surrounding potential violence happening in Utica today.
The only scheduled event is a Utica March for Justice starting at Oneida Square and ending at the Utica Police Department.
Here are statements regarding the rumors.
Utica Police:
"Over the course of the last 24 hours we have been made aware of the rumors regarding mass civil unrest within the City. We have been diligently following up on all information that has been reported to us and at this point in time we have no verified intelligence substantiating it.
We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day, and will update with any changes.
As always, we respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest."
Utica Common Councilman Delvin Moody:
"I feel the need to respond as I have received many texts, calls, and emails concerning today’s protest. First, I support completely the right for anyone to peaceful protest and let their voice be heard. I’m confident that Utica and those activists who are fighting for justice will be peaceful. I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Second, there is NO OFFICIAL Black Lives Matter Utica Chapter in the City. Some in Utica are seeking to establish a nationally affiliated chapter. I support that!
Finally, #BlackLivesMatter... Lock up the officers that killed #BreonnaTaylor, and I too want Officer Fellito employment terminated."
Utica Abolitionists Facebook page:
We want to address the wild rumors circulating about Black Lives Matter in Utica and the March for Justice planned for Saturday.
These rumors are completely false and were started by far right-wing activists and white supremacists. They are only trying to create division, fear, and hatred in our community through these lies.
These rumors also include a number of white supremacist and anti-Semitic tropes, as well as patent lies about "outside agitators" and "antifa" coming into Utica by the busload.
This is all just a repeat of the same lies and rumors that segregationists and the KKK circulated in the South to demonize Martin Luther King, SNCC, and the entire Civil Rights Movement.
Just like our predecessors in the Civil Rights Movement, the Abolitionist Movement - and others - will not be distracted by these rumors and will not let white supremacists get in the way of our long-term struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice! We will be in the streets with our community! We hope you will be there, too!"
NEWSChannel 2 will have full coverage of the march on NEWSChannel 2 Weekend at 6.