MANSFIELD — In discussing the Black Lives Matter Rally protest Saturday in Mansfield’s Central Park, let’s start with what it was not.
It was not violent.
Hundreds of people of all ages came downtown for the three-hour rally, the brainchild of a group of young people angered by the recent policeman killing of a Minneapolis resident named George Floyd.
Unlike other cities — including Minneapolis, Columbus, New York City, Washington D.C., Louisville, Ky., Dallas, San Jose, Calif., and Portland, Oregon — Mansfield residents came together peacefully.
Nothing was thrown, broken, or set ablaze. The protest came in the shadows of Mansfield’s nearby monument to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It was the type of protest that would’ve been approved by the famed Civil Rights leader. Concerns, criticisms and awareness were raised, instead of rocks, bottles and weapons.
In fact, the only fire was audible in the voices of men and women, young and old, who came to share in an important moment in history.
There were speeches, some quite passionate, by people of all colors and ages. There were prayers. There was music. There were signs with clear messages against police brutality. There were chants.
And yes, there was shouting and expression of powerful emotions by people angry and frustrated that the nation is still dealing with issues of racism some had hoped the nation was long since past.
The crowd represented the entire Mansfield human spectrum — black, white, brown, Asian, old, young, men, women, children. One young white girl carried a sign that said, “I’m 10 and I know racism is wrong. So what’s your excuse?”
There was no visible police presence at the event, though Mayor Tim Theaker and Safety-Service Director Lori Cope were in attendance. The city closed Park Avenue through Central Park to traffic, allowing the group more room for the event.
Lamont Lindsay, the 45-year-old pastor from the Book of Life Church in Mansfield, offered advice to young black men in the crowd who encounter law enforcement.
“When you encounter an officer, do put not up any type of resistance. Some of them will kill you. You have seen it over and over again. They will kill us if we put up any type of resistance. Your life will be affected. Your mothers, your fathers, your cousins, your uncles, they will not see you again,” Lindsay said. “Somebody needs to put it on a T-shirt. ‘You can arrest me, but do not kill me.’ That’s a problem when you think you have a right to kill me.
“If everyone here took the top layer of our skin off, we all look red. We are all red! This is not about a cultural thing. This is about humanity. I am a human being. Our children are human beings and we wanted to be treated like human beings.”
The first speaker of the day was 17-year-old Maggie Allred, a member of the Mansfield Senior High School Class of 2020. She and Skylar McKinney, 19, came up with the protest idea during a 2 a.m. phone call.
“We couldn’t sleep because (of the Minneapolis killing). So we definitely did not expect it to grow as much … seeing this is absolutely incredible. Thank you so much (for attending),” Allred said.
Allred, McKinney and other youthful organizers introduced themselves and reminded those in attendance of their strong desire for a peaceful protest.
“Our goal today is to come together, educate, raise awareness and show our support to the black community, their families and all the victims of police brutality,” Allred said.
McKinney said, “We’re doing our best. This is the first protest we’ve ever made … Thank you for coming out.”
Crystal Davis Weese, who helps lead the local group VOCAL (Voices of Change, Activism and Leadership), told attendees that efforts to protect human rights is not going to stop.
“It is such a blessing to see these young kids (leading the protest),” Weese said. “Had more people been putting their grandfathers in check, had more people been putting their racist uncles in check, we would not be here today.
“So today, it’s time to stay it stops publicly, privately, behind the closed doors of our homes.”
She recommended people register to vote and participate and elect leaders who share their values and the interests “of people who look like us.”
Cheryl Cates delivered the most emotional remarks, urging young people in the audience to obtain as much education as possible because “they can never take that away.”
“The one thing we have to understand is you can’t dismiss somebody’s pain because it feels uncomfortable for you. We have to be willing to have the courage to stand in the same space of somebody’s pain and suffering to let them know … even if I don’t know what to say, I want you to feel my presence because I got nothing but love for you,” said Carter, who concluded with a prayer.
“God help us to create opportunities for connections that will bridge the divide between us so that we can see humans as humans and recognize the majesty in each other’s humanity. In Jesus name, in Jesus name … Amen,” Cates said.
After speeches were concluded, the large group moved to the barricades on Diamond Street and Main Street, holding signs and chanting, “No justice, no peace!” “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe!” among others.
They were met with horn honks and waves from motorists who heard their messages. In one instance, a small, white child in the back seat of one vehicle waved to the group. Several in the group saw him, smiled and waved back.
No doubt it was an emotional day of protest in Mansfield. But it was done without the kind of violence seen in other cities.
There were no arrests and no reports of damage.
A message was sent, but no rocks were thrown.
