A resolution to support the Black Lives Matter movement was voted down by the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday night. The debate over this legislation centered on the language regarding law enforcement.

“We’re forgetting the most important thing is we’re asking for justice for all Americans,” said Peter Grimm, the minority leader for the Legislature.

Grimm spoke of his stance on the topic.

The Democrat says that was his intent when he introduced the legislation calling for racial justice for Black people and people of color. But instead, the discussion during Tuesday’s meeting focused on the original resolution’s language, which the Republican majority says was an attack on law enforcement.

 “There’s a message there about sticking up for people, disadvantage people, regardless of their color, regardless of their social-economic status, that should [have] come through, that should [have] been at the forefront,” said Chuck Peter, a Republican legislator.

But because that was not the focus, Peter says that’s why the majority and three members of the minority voted down the resolution. It failed 16 to 3.

Grimm introduced an amended version but it never made it to the floor. In the amended resolution, lines like “continuing structural and systemic racism that is evident in law enforcement and the justice system,” were changed to “continuing structural and systemic racism that plague our communities.” 

Law enforcement officials from Rensselaer County held a press conference hours earlier to express concerns with the original resolution. They called it divisive, hateful, and a slap in the face to law enforcement. Grimm argues the resolution does not attack police.

“It’s asking for help for all agencies to do the job better, to end this systemic racism and other problems that we have in the country,” Grimm said.

Last month, a rally in Troy drew an estimated 11,000 people. A group gathered outside the government center ahead of the meeting showing solidarity silently in support of the resolution. However, they point out that it failed to mention things on the local level.

“We have here the demands of Troy 4 Black Lives, none of them are being represented in the resolution, and there’s no mention of Edson Thevenin,” Troy resident Angela Beallor said.

Peter says there are parts of the resolution they can support, and they’re not ignoring the problems. He says real solutions should be sought after like no-knock warrant reforms. Grimm says they’ll keep working on it, and Peter says he’s open to discussions.

“We have to do something. We all agree something has to be done,” Peter said. “Let’s get together, work on a resolution that we all can support.”