A peaceful protest is scheduled to take place in St. Martinville on July 18. The organizer of the protests says that unification in the city is the reason for the planned gathering.
Sarah Pierre, the organizer of the protest, hopes that it will "increase awareness that change needs to take place everywhere and to help dismantle the racial divide in the community." She says that 64 percent of the population in St. Martinville is Black.
The local police department is in support of Pierre's efforts and she is exhilarated to have that support from the chief and his department.
Police Chief Ricky Martin says that his department is 100 percent behind the protest and the Black Lives Matter movement.
"From speaking from several with the movement, it doesn't mean that white lives don't matter, that other lives don't matter. It means that right now, Black lives matter. Yes, all lives matter, but right now that is not what the movement is," Martin said.
The chief says he is trying to get people to understand that part of the movement and hopes this protest will help.
Police officers from St. Martinville will be there to keep the protesters safe. Martin's concerns are focused on people who are not part of the protest, from outside the area.
The protest will happen On Saturday July 18, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. It will begin near Notre Dame Catholic Church and continue on to the courthouse. There will be speakers following the march.
Pierre says that voter registration will also be taking place and she hopes that businesses who sale Black Lives Matter paraphernalia will come out and support through selling those local goods.
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