HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Two Black Lives Matters events are set in Holland today, Sunday, June 7, 2020: at 1 p.m. starting in Centennial Park, and at 2 p.m. starting on Howard Avenue, near the Unity bridge.
People have rallied around the world to call for equality and justice after the death of a Minnesota man, George Floyd, at the hands of police, after Floyd used a suspected $20 counterfeit bill at a party store. It’s unclear whether or not the bill was a fake or that Floyd was aware of it.
In additon to marches, demonstrations and protests, some violence has broken out in large cities. Holland had two peaceful demonstrations last weekend that each drew 350 or more people; a Zeeland prayer service last Sunday was also without incident. On Saturday, South Haven was the scene of a peaceful Black Lives Matter march that appears to draw 100 or more people.
A series of memorials services ar being held for George Floyd — first in Minnesota, then in North Carolina, where he once lived. From noon to 6 p.m. Monday, his memory will be honored in Houston, where he was raised.
Holland’s first demostration in Holland today is a 1 p.m. “BLM Chalk Protest,” intended to encourage people to use peacefully use chalk on downtown Holland sidewalks, without obstructing any roads. People were told to meet at Centennial Park, where chalk will be handed out — though people can bring their own calk — and instructions reiterated. Participants are supposed to walk throughout downtown, illustrating sidewalks with messages of unity and justice.
“Black Lives Matter was created to bring attention to the injustice of what’s happening to them by people who are supposed to protect and serve this country,” wrote organizer Kimberly Calzada on the event’s Facebook page. “We wanted to come up with a creative way to protest peacefully and recognize the movement going on and spread awareness. We want to unify the community because this works better in numbers. The point of this is to illustrate different messages, pictures, etc. to help start the conversation. This is a way to help your kids also be involved and understand in their language so to speak. Silence becomes your own betrayal.”
At 2 p.m. George’s Peaceful Unity Demonstration is set along Holland’s Unity bridge as of Sunday morning, nearly 2,000 people expressed interest in the event, and more than 800 indicated they planned to attend.
Organziers are asking people to meet at 2 p.m. at the parking lot at 242 Howard Ave. or park nearby.
One organizer, Shutaveya Ward, wrote that the demonstration it intended to be “one of community standing united with each other, we are against police brutality, systemic racism and prejudice. We are not asking approval or running with any movement that is out. We are creating one. We ask that you stand with us, as we’ve asked the police, churches and the community. if you choose not to, we understand that too.”
Ward and fellow organizer Lily Harman wrote that the events main priority is “the safety of each person who will be out there,” and they are asking everyone to wear masks and observe social distancing rules.
“We will be meeting in the green space across the street to gather before marching and standing together,” the organizers wrote on the event’s Facebook page, adding that a sanitation station, water and light snacks would be available.
They’ll also hand out name tags and are asking participants write the name of the person or people they are marching/standing for.
Once everyone is together, they’ll make some brief comments before the group walks together to the sidewalks on the Unity briday, where they’ll remain until 3 p.m., then return to their cars.
Jenn Manninen, of Holland’s Openly Secular Alliance, noted on the event page she will be there, handing out signs for those who’d like to carry one.
The motto she chose for the signs: “Hate has no home in Holland.”
