Law Enforcement Officials Fill Marist Parking Lot Amid Protest

Poughkeepsie residents took to the streets this week to peacefully protest police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. And Poughkeepsie law enforcement came prepared. Donning riot gear, officers were stationed on Market Street, the Mid-Hudson Bridge, the McCann parking lot at Marist College, and multiple other locations on June 2. 

Social media posts soon spread informing protesters of approximately 200 law enforcement vehicles parked in the McCann parking lot. One Twitter user reposted the video of the parking lot and said, “This is the parking lot at Marist in Poughkeepsie right now. Please stay safe everyone.”  

The Circle contacted the college’s administration for comment. 

“Marist has always been fortunate to have a constructive relationship with local government officials and first responders,” said Julia Fishman, director of Media Relations, on behalf. “These individuals provide support in situations our security force is not equipped to handle, and are critical partners in providing security for athletic events, commencement, and countless other events on campus. The college is also proud of our role in educating the law enforcement leaders of tomorrow through both our criminal justice and Master of Public Administration programs. And many Marist families have members who work in law enforcement.”

Marist has not publicly released a statement to the community regarding police presence on campus during the protest. 

“When we were asked by law enforcement officials for the use of an empty parking lot on campus to provide additional security for the community, the college felt it had a responsibility to respond positively,” Marist said. “This does not at all diminish Marist’s support for an individual’s right to protest and express their views strongly and peacefully.”

About an hour before the protest, recent Marist graduate Kelli Devlin ‘20 saw the social media post of vehicles in the parking lot. She and other alumni drove onto campus through the south gate, passing a security guard who did not order them to leave. They then parked in the Byrne House parking lot and walked down by McCann to verify what was happening. 

Once Devlin was able to see the parking lot filled with law enforcement vehicles, a security guard began questioning Devlin and the alumni with her. The security guard warned Devlin and the alumni that they couldn’t take pictures and videos of the parking lot and should not post them anywhere. They were told that they weren’t allowed to be on campus and proceeded to leave. The Circle contacted Marist security to inquire about the situation, but the office did not comment.

Reporting contributed by Danielle Sica.