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On June 10, 2020, Scott Jewers staged a solo protest in Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia in response to the murder of George Floyd and the broader issue of systemic racism in policing. A journalist from the Guysborough Journal stopped and asked if she could do a story. Scott Jewers initially declined but agreed to let her take a photograph and send some questions. His family encouraged him to respond. The following are the questions submitted and his written answers, as published in the Guysborough Journal on June 17, 2020.

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1. Will you tell me a little about yourself? Where you grew up; your age; attended school and anything else you feel pertinent?

Grew up in ecum secum, moved to Dartmouth when I was turning 18. I fully moved back to Ecum Secum about 5 years ago.

2. How did Floyd Geroge's death affect you and why? Have there been other events of obvious racism that have also affected you?

It scared me. I felt right away that what was happening was wrong, the look on the officers face – that “Are you talking to me? – do you know who I am” demeanor. With the second officer asserting that same authority over the civilians.

 That assertion of authority over human dignity,

 The fact they threatened those civilians with violence including death if they interfered,

 The fact they held him down for 8.46 minutes as a spectacle while he begged for his life,

 The fact they forced the public to watch (As witnesses), while the public begged them to have mercy.

 And The fact It was completely avoidable

Is nothing short of a Public Execution of yet another Black Man. Just To assert Police Authority and their personal dominance.

Their arrogance was flaunted in everyone’s face -Kids could have seen it, anyone, the world did.

All over a $20 bill.

And I think that should terrify everyone. And based on the public reaction – it does terrify them.

And you know what the worst part is?

The Black Community has seen this so many times and they keep having to relive this same trauma over and over. Think if this video disturbs you – imagine that being a common occurrence in your communities and your families?

Can you imagine your own families constantly being hunted, murdered an executed, living in fear of even moving the wrong way at a traffic stop. Or scared to leave a store without a receipt, or just be jogging through a primarily white neighborhood at the wrong time.

What would you do when you finally snapped, what would you do if they murdered your kid, partner or parent? How mad would you be?

So in short - I was angry and instead of just being angry I knew there was something that could be done and I did it.

3. Do you personally have any friendships with blacks and have you been a witness to them being discriminated against?

Yes I have Black Friends. Honestly not many direct friends though. I also have Black relations through my cousins but we have never really got close as we live quite a distance away. I love them thought.

And yes I have seen repeated racism against Black people. I know there are a lot of crude jokes, I’ve heard many and I’m am ashamed to say as a Young man I did take part in those jokes but I was never raised to not like black people but I wasn’t really raised to intentionally be inclusive- I was generally ignorant to a lot as I’m sure a lot of Youth in rural Nova Scotia still are.

And I’ve heard disgusting statements about only “certain” Black people being good and I’ve seen exclusion and hesitation.

The first time I got pulled over by police I had a black friend in, in an area that had no black people and I noticed it seemed the officer was acting different but I didn’t think much of it so upon leaving he informed me that I just experienced driving while black. I didn’t even notice because I was so ignorant to it, I knew something was odd but he knew exactly what it was.

Toronto, me and some other white friends started a conversation with two young black men in the downtown area. About 20 Min into the conversation a police car pulls up, two cops a White guy and Asian Guy, they asked if we were alright. We laughed “like…yea” and they drove away. Our new friends informed us what just occurred and how common it is. We approached them yet the police were checking if the white people were safe.

My aunt Married a Black man and she experienced a lot herself.

And to that I have had POC tell me about how nervous they are or would be about coming out to an area like Ecum Secum – they truly believe they face exclusion out here. And to be honest I can’t answer that question for them, I can’t answer that question for any part of Rural Nova Scotia. Can any of you? Should that not collectively concern us? Nova Scotia - If you can’t say for sure if a POC would feel included in your community how will they ever know if you don’t tell them! Tell them they are safe –send a message to your local Police that you want Black Lives and in general POC protected, tell the police you will personally back them if they have to report Racism or Brutality in the force.

Send that message to all of them – don’t sit back and wait – it will take forever that way – this is a moment for everyone, not just Blacks to send a message – go tell the Black Community you see them!

4. If not, have you witnessed racism even though you haven't known the people? In your opinion where does racism originate? Have you seen it at school, work place, community, province, country, generally speaking?

I believe virtually everyone has witnessed Racism. There has never been a time there has not been racism in Canada. Period. We’ve seen it in our government with inadequate minority representation and clearly within the police force. And the Social Economic aspect? It’s not close to eradicated. And if anyone disagrees – you are part of the problem.

The fact is if you are still sitting back reacting to Racism and intolerance instead of tracking it down and exterminating it then these issues with always exist in parts of Canada.

Rural Nova Scotia’s and Canadians as a whole need to go from reacting to being proactive.

Proactively say you are pro black rights instead of reacting to someone saying something horrible.

Put BLACK RIGHTS at the fore front of conversations and make sure everyone knows you won’t support Racism.

And don’t assume your family or friends aren’t Racist just because that makes you feel better – face it because if you don’t I promise you the Black Community will continue to face much more horrible things than you being just a bit uncomfortable by actually doing the right thing.

Every time you choose inaction you are hurting someone.

5. What is your reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement and what do you think it means?

I heard about BlackLivesMatter a while ago but I definitely didn’t fully understand culturally and collectively why they had such a strong adverse reaction to Police. But when you start looking at their cultural and collective trauma how could they ever trust Police in its current form? The current form has hunted them, murdered them, and harassed them – essentially treating them like animals to be dominated. They have been screaming for years for it to stop and it hasn’t! And as the cherry on top we deprive them of so many economic opportunities and then blame the fallout of that neglect on them when it was our white privilege that drove that economic divide. And during that period of Rapid growth (The last few hundred Years) – it’s very clear one side came out much better and it wasn’t because of fairness it was because of whiteness. That is a fact.

Nova Scotia - Understanding that all of the above was caused by white privilege is a step in accepting responsibility for the current situation. Maybe you didn’t cause it – but if the system is still broken and you aren’t doing anything to change it then you are partly responsible for this failure.

And right now all you have to do is send a message and if you don’t use your white privilege right now to just have a simple conversation with friends and family then how can you tell yourself that you are helping?

You can’t – you are part of the problem. It’s simple.

How do you understand the message ?

That every single person on this planet should say that out loud. This is about Global cultural recognition for past and current crimes against the Black Community and that we should recognize their incredible contribution of culture, comedy, beauty, style, music, food, intellectualism and their potential. And that we should celebrate them and embrace their diversity.

Instead of supporting a system that deprives them of their Human Dignity whenever white people don’t directly benefit.

It’s time to recognize.

Do you think generally people understand it?

Yes I think they understand the premise of BlackLivesMatter but there is some confusion about associating AllLivesMatter when the reality is not all lives were hunted, murdered and harassed like these families have been for generations. Yes, many have faced trauma but we have not faced the collective trauma faced by the Black Community. That is a statistical fact and a clear matter of history.

Right now – this is their moment – this is their message – this is their revolution – they have been fighting for it for generations – everyone knows they fought hard and the last thing they need right now is a bunch of white people making it about them again.

The message is Black Lives Matter and when they finally do, that’s a step towards true equality in practice and not just on paper, and that step to change the system will benefit all of Humanity – Black, Indigenous, Asian, White, Gay, Straight, and Trans – All of us!

Say it out loud - Black Lives Matter.

6. What are your thoughts about the peaceful protests that are taking place in Halifax and other parts of Nova Scotia (and the US and the world)? You mentioned wanting to attend in Halifax but you felt you could not...could you tell me why?

The protests are inspiring and motivating. People are on pause right now with COVID around the world and are being force fed exactly what our neglect has caused – its beyond obvious at this point and it’s about time we faced it.

And I wanted to go to Halifax but I really don’t have a lot of money and I’m trying to get a lot of farm work done, I also didn’t want to go to Halifax as I was worried about potentially bringing COVID to Ecum Secum to infect the community in which we have many high risk members.

7. When did you make the decision to 'stand alone' to bring the movement to a local level?

When I first seen the video I felt and knew something was going to happen. I couldn’t get to the city and I wanted to say something loud and clear.

How often have you been out there and has it only been in the one location?

I was out there 5 ½ Hours. It was the only location Yes and the only day, I have been quite busy and I didn’t know how it would go and since then I’ve been trying to make sure that the proper message is being relayed by engaging the black community for information to help with public engagement.

Have you protested before for other causes?

Walked for pride parade several times. Not really protesting, well... It’s a celebration protest 

8. What was the response from the public as they drove by?

Generally quite a good response. People beeped and put their fist in the Air – I was surprised so many people knew. Some people really hit their horn too, you could feel their emotion and see their support in how they beeped. A few didn’t look at me and I don’t know the reasons but I didn’t expect 100% engagement either. A few came to express how much they themselves generally believe police hate Black and other Colored people – that’s an interesting take away.

Did anyone stop?

Yes a few people stopped, the first person an older fella thought I was selling smoked mackerel. But others stopped to show support, some wished they could join, some people even brought me some food. Someone stopped and asked if I was worried about violence against me jokingly but not jokingly (Sadly also something I had personally considered). But I never got one angry person.

It was like you could tell other people were glad to see something happening.

Police also drove by a few times and beeped. And one fellow did stop – he was nice and we had a short discussion. He wanted to see my second sign.

Another interesting take away – is as there were multiple police vehicles and multiple people stopped and asked about my safety. Indicating the community does fear some sort of police force or retaliation. That doesn’t mean there was ever going to be or that they were aggressive or anything. It’s just interesting to know that the community does worry about Police over asserting themselves here locally.

What was the reaction of people?

When you live in a Rural Area and go up to the “corner” with a cardboard sign, people tend to wonder what “motivates” you.

But I think people understood something has to be said and they have seen things in their own lives that bring them shame but they don’t know how to start a conversation.

And I believe a lot probably feel ashamed themselves and fear they will be shamed further for starting to take a stance.

And I’m hoping this gives them a good reason to start changing the conversation themselves.

And the fact is – Everyone likes to talk in a small town – we’ll Rural Nova Scotia - Canada? Give them something to talk about!

Did you receive any negativity?

No I did not. However, multiple people were wondering about that and possible violence. So I think that says something clear – people know this is still a touchy subject in Rural Areas. That’s the reason this has to happen.

9. How do you feel having made the effort to have your voice heard (and seen)?

I feel normal to be honest. I feel like if I didn’t do anything, I would have felt awful and then I’d have a more emotional answer for you. I don’t want praise I really don’t. I want people to see the message and send a message from their own communities to the Black Community and other POC that you have a safe place here!

10. What do you think needs to be done to see real change on how black people are treated?

Canada has to go from reacting to Racism and Brutality to actively rooting it out and exterminating it. We should treat it like the disease it is.

That can only be done if everyone contributes, every small town in the Country must be proactive!

How can 'we' be the change?

Make sure you have this conversation. Speak to your kids – they are not in school right now. What do they know about this? What do they think is happening? We need a real conversation.

And If Rural Nova Scotia isn’t racist then why not send that message to our Black Community? Why not stop what you are doing, take a few hours and go send the message. A few hours from you right now can mean an entire lifetime of Human Dignity for these people.

11. Is there anything else you have planned for yourself in being an agent of change?

Currently on paper it looks like everyone has basic Human Rights in Canada but in reality – that’s just so rich, powerful and primarily white people can feel good about themselves.

If it weren’t a fact, we wouldn’t be seeing what we’re seeing with severe systemic Racism.

So – I’m going to push on! As far as I’m concerned – knowing that the only thing that allowed us to see this Murder was a Video. I do not

See how ANY country with good conscience that tries to claim they live in a democracy would have issues with Body cams.

Look at what just a single video has shown the world. And think how many other similar videos there should be but there aren’t.

That power needs to be harnessed so the public can help the police and so the public can help themselves and the rest of the world.

Through access to fair unbiased data to incorporate into our democratic process.

Because If we don’t take that step why would any other country?

Canada needs to set and meet the standards for Human Rights so we actually have a leg to stand on when facing other countries and their Human Rights violations.

And I’ll be actively watching for ways to support, engage and push that process forward.

12. What is your dog's name?

Hawke.