ONTARIO — The Ontario Black Lives Matter (BLM) rally attracted more than 50 protestors and caused a march that temporarily shutdown traffic at the Lexington-Springmill Road and Ohio State Route 309 intersection on Friday night.
The event, organized and led by Ontario native Jordyn Sims, was launched in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on Memoridal Day weekend. The Ontario Police Department deployed a prominent presence at the scene, in the parking lot of the Richland Mall Shopping Center.
Ontario Police Chief Tommy Hill addressed the crowd at the outset.
“We’re here tonight to support the Black Lives Matter rally, we’re here to make sure that they’re safe … we support they’re message,” Hill said. “Everyone has their voice and we want them to have their voice.
“This is their night and that’s why we’re here.”
One participant had a sign that read: “Why did you fire your first and only black officer? With no explanation! Justice for Elijah Finley!!!” Finley was fired earlier this year. He was the Resource Officer for Ontario Local Schools.
Sims then rallied those in attendance, emphasizing the goal of a peaceful protest. She also highlighted the majority white crowd for using their platform to speak up and announced that a legislator had reached out to her and asked what laws she would like to see implemented.
Sims pointed to a group in the parking lot that was carrying guns and stated that they had contacted her and that she knows one of them personally. She emphasized that the protestors have no reason to be scared of them.
The group then marched to the Lexington-Springmill road and Ohio State Route 309 intersection chanting “Black lives matter,” “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace.” The group then halted traffic for 8 minutes and 43 seconds in silence, the amount of time a Minnesota police officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck.
“That was really powerful,” Sims said. “I wasn’t expecting to get emotional. I’m not a super emotional person, out there was insane.”
The group then returned to Richland Mall Shopping Center parking lot and water was passed out to participants.
