A large crowd gathered Sunday afternoon at the Christian County Justice Center for an “I Can’t Breathe” rally for unity, justice and equality in Hopkinsville and across the country.
The peaceful protest included many holding signs along Ninth Street, drivers honking in support and various chants.
The rally came after EMT Breonna Taylor was shot to death March 13 by Louisville police who were serving a no-knock warrant at her home and after George Floyd died in Minnesota while a police officer held him to the ground with a knee to his neck for over eight minutes.
District 1 Christian Fiscal Court Magistrate Magaline Ferguson urged the diverse crowd that included Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner and Sheriff Tyler DeArmond to work together for change in hopes young black men will be able to feel comfortable going to police for help.
Cortez Ivory challenged good police officers in the profession for the right reasons to call out bad or discriminatory conduct by other officers when they see it.
The Rev. Perry Greenwade says there will be additional rallies and get-togethers to promote justice and equality, but they’ll remain non-violent and persistent.
Chief Sumner and Sheriff DeArmond were among those speaking and encouraged citizens to engage with them when they have concerns. Hopkinsville City Councilman Darvin Adams brought a message of “awareness, unity and proactivity” and Councilman Jason Bell told attendees to not let Sunday’s rally be the end of their movement.
