The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
PEACEFUL CALL FOR UNITY AND ACTION
Black Lives Matter — Lake County holds protest in Painesville
Leaders of Black Lives Matter — Lake County expressed their gratitude to those who attended and participated in a peaceful protest that the organization sponsored on Aug. 1 in Painesville.
But those leaders also reminded the audience of about 50 people that it will require additional work, and perseverance, to eliminate racism in Lake County.
The protest started at 6 p.m. in Painesville’s Veterans Park and lasted for about an hour. Three speakers addressed an audience that had gathered in front of the park’s gazebo, bearing signs with messages such as “No justice, no peace,” “American history is Black history” and “Fight for equality.”
The protest sponsors and audience also conducted a brief march from Veterans Park, onto Liberty Street, to the intersection of West and East Erie streets, and back to the gazebo. Throughout the
procession, Black Lives Matter — Lake County founding member Marsita Ferguson shouted out various questions or phrases which elicited responses from the marchers. One of the exchanges was: “What do we want?” “Justice!”
“When do we want it?” “Now!”
Upon returning to the park, the audience then heard messages from three guest speakers, including Brandon Towns, a resident of Mentor.
Towns, speaking on behalf of Black Lives Matter, thanked all spectators for attending the protest. But he pointed out that the event in itself wouldn’t be enough to end racism in Lake County.
“We don’t need it just today,” Towns said. “We don’t need it just for the march. It’s not just a movement, it’s a lifestyle.”
Instead, Towns encouraged audience members to be anti-racist at work, school and whenever they interact with other people.
“Take every opportunity, every single one, to stand up for what’s right,” he said. “If you do that — if we collectively do that — the exponential growth of anti-racism will be remarkable.”
Ferguson, who has lived in Painesville for more than 25 years, explained how Black Lives Matter — Lake County is working on promoting policy and legislation to eliminate racial injustice in areas ranging from police training to education.
“So this will not stop,” she said. “This is not a protest, but this is a change to the way of life. Our world deserves better for everybody. Not just white people, but black people as well. We should do this together.”
No opponents appeared at the event to carry signs or speak out during the protest march or remarks by guest speakers. Uniformed Painesville police officers were present throughout the procession as well as during the program at the gazebo.
Ryan Gilkerson, master of ceremonies for the event and a charter member of Black Lives Matter — Lake County, encouraged people in attendance to become active members of the group.
“We’ve got all sorts of different opportunities for you to participate in and we want you to be part of it,” said Gilkerson, who lives in Painesville. “We have to have people to make things happen.”