News

Actions

CommUNITY rally held in Norfolk Friday brings awareness to social justice, education reform

Posted at 2:08 PM, Jun 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-19 20:11:11-04

NORFOLK, Va. - More than 100 people showed up at Towne Point Park Friday morning, holding handmade signs and wearing t-shirts with slogans like "I can't breathe" and "Black Lives Matter."

"If you look around you, to your left and your right, you will see you are not alone," said Pastor Mike Harris.

The crowd held their hands in the air in a fist to show their strength and solidarity.

"We want to make sure we are doing our part to show that we care," said Ryan Lynn with The Dirty Buffalo restaurant.

The Dirty Buffalo sponsored the rally, alongside Park Place School and the grassroots organization Humanities Behind Bars.

Park Place School in Norfolk is near and dear to the owners of Dirty Buffalo. Last year, the restaurant donated 100 Chromebooks to replace the school's hand-me-down computers.

"In line with the reason for this rally, this organization is more than worthy of a donation to assist in education reform, and we’re extremely thankful for their assistance in setting up this event," Lynn said.

Around noon, more than 100 people of all races and creeds took to the streets.

"No justice, no peace," they chanted in unison.

They walked 2.6 miles through downtown Norfolk with a strong message.

"We are all here together. My Black brothers and sisters shouldn't have to face fear every day from the police," said Jenna Bailey, one of the marchers. "We are all just over it. There should be accountability for their deaths."

"Say his name: George Floyd," they chanted.

It was a peaceful protest to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and to help bring change to our society as a whole.

"It is amazing to see us come together without violence and without going at each others' necks for once," said marcher Quincy Davis.

The hope on this Juneteenth: Justice for all.

"We got people who fought for this for years, and here we are, finally - part of history, trying to make it happen," said Davis.

Click here for full coverage on America in Crisis.