RACINE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - A peaceful protest in Racine, Wisconsin took hundreds of people through the streets of downtown, speaking out against injustices to the black community.
It’s the message we have seen from those protesting across the country.
“All white people aren’t prejudice and all black people are not criminals,” says Racine business owner Donisha Nesbitt. “If we can have a platform to begin to talk things out and begin to show love to each other, some of these things can change.”
The group gathered at Monument Square, walking to the Racine County Courthouse and to the police station before taking to the streets of downtown. Police remained present, but at a distance to allow protestors to march peacefully.
“We want to see reform in the police programs and we want to see how they're training,” says protest organizer Jacob Romanski. “I'm sick and tired of communities getting down on themselves because of injustice.”
The death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, hits close to home for Racine. The community is still struggling with the officer-involved shooting and subsequent death of 18-year-old Tyrese West in June 2019.
“In racine Wisconsin, there’s so much of this going around here,” says Cecelia Scott. “I’m white, I’m Caucasian, but we see it.”
Mayor Corey Mason addressed the media prior to the protest Monday. He had a message for those outside of the city coming to riot. He said “we don’t want you here.”
Mason’s words come after the city’s historic Thelma Orr House may not recover from arson Sunday night. Racine’s police chief says his department is investigating whether the attack could be at the hands of white supremacists.
Thelma Orr was a pioneer in Racine during the Civil Rights movement.
Racine will hold another protest Wednesday night at 6. Mayor Mason has asked community members to light candles and kneel for 9 minutes.
He has also asked churches to ring bells for 9 minutes. That’s how long Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck.