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Downtown Tyler Vigil set for Juneteenth
“One of the things that has not been done in Tyler, Texas and throughout East Texas, there hasn’t been a memorializing of the people who were often innocent of any crime and their names being called out so that we can remember that there was something horrible that happened here.”
In Montalvo’s findings, he says there were over 90 lynching’s that took place in the Tyler/Smith County area.
“I’m under the belief that these 80 plus lynchings that happened and/or murders…we know that some of these lives were outside the county, in particular, we know that some of the lives were inside this area but we don’t know how many and that’s why we’re including them.”
Dante Nunz. Jun. 18, 2020. Downtown Tyler Vigil set for Juneteenth. KLTV. https://www.kltv.com/2020/06/18/downtown-tyler-vigil-set-juneteenth/
Downtown Tyler Vigil set for Juneteenth
Reignite the Dream rally remembers Dr. King's speech, calls to continue legacy
Several speakers from various organizations across Tyler echoed these calls for peace in a time when there has much division across the nation.
"We need to extend our hand outside of our communities" and get to know people who aren't exactly like us, DG Montalvo of Tyler Justice said.
Chelsea Purgahn. Aug 28, 2017. Reignite the Dream rally remembers Dr. King's speech, calls to continue legacy. Tyler Morning Telegraph. https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/reignite-the-dream-rally-remembers-dr-kings-speech-calls-to-continue-legacy/article_0a1b69ea-9fcb-5f13-ad4c-e32029f7cbcd.html
Descendant of Robert E. Lee encourages Tyler ISD board to take strong action, supports athlete refusing to wear Lee jersey
“We have to abandon the lost cause,” Lee said. “And I say this especially for a place like Tyler, Texas. Do we want to teach our children a pseudo historical realty that said Robert E. Lee was kind to his slaves and fought for states’ rights and southern rights, which we never continue that sentence because it was to enslave people.”
The Rev. Rob W. Lee IV, who is the fourth great-nephew of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, was joined on a Zoom call by local Tyler activists Rev. Kilton McCraken, DG Montalvo and Ambra Phillips as well as activist Rev. Anthony Smith from Salisbury, North Carolina.
Zak Wellerman. July 15, 2020. Descendant of Robert E. Lee encourages Tyler ISD board to take strong action, supports athlete refusing to wear Lee jersey. Tyler Morning Telegraph. https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/descendant-of-robert-e-lee-encourages-tyler-isd-board-to-take-strong-action-supports-athlete/article_588e6430-c70d-11ea-ad9e-1b197d8e17e8.html
As the public debate wore on, it became more heated and vitriolic, Montalvo said. Attacks were often personal, and the divide seemed to deepen after the no-vote.
“Both sides are saying they won’t forget,” he said.
A vote might have given the city closure, he said, but for now, some hope history will help the community move forward. After the school board’s decision, Montalvo and others pushing for the name change launched Tyler History, a website aimed at shedding light on racist elements of the city’s past.
“Our hope would be that by acknowledging that we have a racist history … people will understand that this hasn’t gone away, but we don’t have to stay here,” he said.
Rilyn Eischens. October 3, 2018. Staunton uneasy about possible aftermath of high school name debate. The News Leader - USA Today Network. https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2018/10/03/robert-e-lee-school-name-debate-aftermath-staunton/1458506002/
Residents will push for name change at Robert E. Lee High School at Monday Tyler ISD board meeting
“We are a good and godly people in Tyler, Texas, that need to get the faithfulness to Christ to extend past Sunday mornings in our racially divided churches and actually make an impact in our city throughout the week. We have failed to do that, but now is the time to change that,” Montalvo said. “One way we can change it is by communicating to everybody in the city of Tyler that we are committed to overcoming racial tension and doing whatever is necessary to heal those divides no matter what the cost.”
Cory McCoy. August 2017. Residents will push for name change at Robert E. Lee High School at Monday Tyler ISD board meeting. Tyler Morning Telegraph. https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/residents-will-push-for-name-change-at-robert-e-lee-high-school-at-monday-tyler/article_475d3aad-944e-5ad3-a630-9eb02e3eb623.html
Parents, citizens to request renaming Robert E. Lee High School in school board meeting
The events in Charlottesville, Virginia have prompted a push to change the name of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. "Going through old Robert E. Lee High School yearbooks and seeing Confederate flags and Confederate cannons, and seeing people waving them," said DG Montalvo, Minister of Social Justice.
KLTV Staff. August 17, 2017. Parents, citizens to request renaming Robert E. Lee High School in school board meeting. KLTV. https://www.kltv.com/story/36162474/parents-citizens-to-request-renaming-robert-e-lee-high-school-in-school-board-meeting/
Change Tyler Robert E Lee High School's Name - Help Heal Our Racial Divide
“Changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School will communicate to everyone in Tyler that we now have the resolve and heart to overcoming the racial tension and divide in our community by doing whatever is necessary no matter the cost.
There is no more important place than our schools for communities and our students to unite. Schools are where life long lessons are learned that help form values for society and the sort of fair and just institutions we wish to have.
There is no more important place than at a public taxpayer funded school for ALL students to feel welcome, safe and to be inspired, no matter the color of their skin.
DG Montalvo. August 2018. Change Tyler Robert E Lee High School's Name. Change.org.
https://www.change.org/p/tyler-isd-school-board-change-rel-s-name-help-heal-our-racial-divide
Tens of Thousands Throughout East Texas Have Volunteered At The Ministries Under A Downtown Tyler Bridge Fulfilling DG’s Vision For Mission Minded Ministry
When KETK newscaster, Cody Spain, heard about efforts to launch a ministry for the under-resourced in downtown Tyler, he decided he would have to tell our story. Unlike other worthwhile efforts to serve the poor, the ministry was designed to be ad hoc, completely informal, low to no cost, with no offerings being taken, and open-air.
After the story broke, people throughout Tyler & East Texas contacted us hoping to be involved. Then churches slowly joined in. We made friends with other ministries for the homeless, namely Hunger For Love then they too moved under the bridge.
Our prayers were quickly answered. Within months, we were serving meals, clothing our new friends, singing together, and being encouraged through scripture which I would often share. But most importantly, we were making friends; we were being incarnational (being like Jesus to people). And many stories of life transformation began to be shared, including baptisms, and even weddings have all taken place under that bridge off Valentine St. And it all started with prayer walking among a few friends.
The work has since spun off dozens of ministries, including Gateway To Hope which was later adopted by Hwy 80 Rescue Mission.
Cody Spain. February 22, 2012. Beyond The Bridge. KETK. http://www.ketk.com
