Regarding Saturday’s “Hands Across Victor – Black Lives Matter” Demonstration -
We have received numerous questions and comments about the Town of Victor postings regarding Saturday’s “Hands Across Victor – Black Lives Matter” demonstration.
This gathering is coordinated and sponsored by private parties. As the attendance for this event is anticipated to be less than 2,000 people, it does not meet the threshold for a permit from either the Town or Village of Victor. Our initial announcement was created in the spirit of transparency and good communication to our residents, not to be construed as an approval, endorsement, or any type of support or discouragement.
Gatherings such as these are a constitutional right of an expression of free speech. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department is in touch with the organizer to ensure a peaceful and lawful gathering. The Sheriff’s Department has been in communication with Town, Village, and emergency response agencies to maintain traffic flow throughout this event. It is the professional opinion of the Sheriff’s Department that it is more effective to work with the organizers than it is to create an adversarial environment which may encourage negative behaviors.