Nearly 300 people attended the Black Live Matter Rally that was held on the Marshall Square on Sunday. The afternoon began with a number of speakers ranging from young adults from the community to pastors from area congregations, who delivered heart felt messages on why this movement is important and why changes in the system need to be made. There was a reading of the names of young black men and women who had lost their lives at the hands of police officers followed by a march around the Marshall Square.
Nateesha Palmer, one of the group’s organizers addressed some changes that can be put into place right away. She said that much of what needs to change stems from the system that allows injustice to continue. Palmer said this is what much of Black Lives Matter is about; demanding structural change and putting an end to systematic racism.

Palmer went on to point out the eight ideas addressed by Campaign Zero, which emerged from Black Lives Matter protests in Ferguson, Missouri nearly six years ago.

Mayor Julie Schwetz was also in attendance. She said that she felt it was important to show unity in the community and to support our constitutional right for peaceful assembly.
The entire event was peaceful from beginning to end.