In recent weeks, the death of George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, has resulted in protests across the United States, and in foreign countries as well, demanding justice and an end to police brutality and significant reforms in the law enforcement profession, as well as focusing on systemic racism. Louisville was the scene of a protest rally this past Saturday with the event beginning in the parking lot of the Louisville Coliseum where participants braved the heat and sun to make their voices heard. Dean Miller, President of the Winston County Branch NAACP, serving as Mistress of Ceremony, opened the rally which featured a number of speakers including Bishop Joseph Berry of Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville Mayor Will Hill, Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness, Dr. Willie Goss, Pastor of Faith Beyond Walls Christian Center & Dean of New Foundation Theological Seminary, The Way Community Church Pastor Shayne Martin, Women in the NAACP President, Carolyn Hampton, First Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Scott Phillips, Rev. Dennis Jackson of Mt. Talley Missionary Baptist Church, Minister Deborah Holmes, Associate Pastor of Faith Beyond Walls Christian Center, Elmetra Patterson president/co-founder of Friends of Dean Park, Inc and rally organizer, Lawrence Sangster. Musical selections were provided by Predestined of Louisville. Bishop Berry chose 1 John 4:20 as the text of his devotional, which reads, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Berry pointed out that all who have been saved are brothers in Christ, and that we cannot say we love each other, then mistreat each other and love God whom we have never seen. Hill stated that he is committed to serving one Louisville, and when approached by Sangster concerning the rally, there was much discussion and many questions about the objective of the rally and what was to be accomplished. Sangster said that he wanted to show unity in the community, to raise awareness and prove that Louisville is different. Hill said that people from all areas of society must come together and talk to one another, rather than at one another, if solutions are to be found. NAACP President Miller said that many members are concerned about the futures of young black men and women in the community, and that the Winston County Branch would like to partner with city and county officials and the community to implement strategies to ensure that all citizens feel safe and protected. She added that it will take everyone to reform policies in the community and the country, and first we need to listen to understand. She also stated that people must vote to create change, a point that was reiterated by other speakers, and pointed out that voter registration was available at the rally. Holdiness hearkened back to his first day in Trooper School when he heard the statement, “Do right, do the best you can, and treat others the way you want to be treated.” Holdiness added that it is a simple statement, but sometimes one needs something simple to turn to when things get confusing. He recounted African-Americans in positions of authority who have touched his life, including former Louisville Police Chief L.M. Claiborne. Holdinessadded that the demographics of Louisville Police Department mirrors those of the City of Louisville, and that his department is not going to let down the citizens, and that if anyone has an issue that needs his attention, all they have to do is ask to speak with him. Rev. Willie Goss stated that if people are concerned about making a change it will take more than talk, and that everything will stay the same if people do not stand up, and speak of the injustices that have taken place down through the years, and that there needs to be change. Rev. Shayne Martin stated that God hates racism, and Christians, too, should hate racism, adding that every person on earth has been created in the image of God. Carolyn Hampton, Women in the NAACP President, stated that African-Americans are battling two pandemics, in the coronavirus and institutionalized racism that continues to plague this country, and rallies across the country are the response to racism that has afflicted and torn apart black communities for years. She added that the black community is not anti-police, rather anti-police brutality. Elemetra Patterson of FODP added, “This is a powerful moment!! Let us use it to bring about changes for freedom and justice for all. Choke holds should be banned. Defund police department - not abolish them - and use the funds for social service programs for the mentally ill including alcoholism and drug addiction. Funds are needed for half way houses, homes for the homeless and counseling programs for dysfunctional families and others. Over incarceration for of African Americans should cease." Following these speakers, rally participants marched south of Church Ave, turning east on Park St., ending up at First Presbyterian Church where they heard from Rev. Scott Phillips,Rev. Dennis Jackson, Minister Deborah Holmes, and organizer Lawrence Sangster. Jackson stated that his children’s lives matter, but everyone’s children matter. He spoke of the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and asked what has happened to the village. Jackson added that the things the movement is about are understanding, equality, justice, peace and love, and that it is time for all voices to be lifted, and it is time for justice. Minister Holmes stated that she was speaking from a mother’s standpoint as she has six sons, all who have had encounters with law enforcement and have been harassed, and called for justice for all and for everyone to stand up and be counted. Organizer Lawrence Sangster thanked everyone for coming and stated that God had brought them together for a reason, for all sisters and brothers, regardless of color, to stand up together. Miller thanked the public safety agencies that participated, and Burnt Orange Studios for providing the sound system. Friends of Dean Park's members passed out water that Walmart had donated.
