A peaceful protest over the murder of George Floyd was held Monday in Pickens.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Law enforcement, legislators and city officials join protesters in march, prayer
Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry joined the protesters at Legacy Square.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
“More justice 2020.”
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Marchers carried signs and posters while chanting George Floyd’s name.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The peaceful protest began a little before 5 p.m. on Monday.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
A head bowed in silence in memory of those victimized.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Rep. Davey Hiott left, and Sen. Rex Rice, right, joined with the demonstrators at Legacy.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
A prayer before marching.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Sen. Rex Rice, left joins in the prayer circle.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The group came together in prayer at Legacy Square.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark and Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry joined the protesters for the march to the courthouse.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Protesters marched from Legacy Square to the courthouse.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Hand in hand, protesters marched for justice.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Around three dozen protesters marched in Pickens on Monday.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The group prayed, chanted and held signs in the peaceful demonstration.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Signs read “Justice for Floyd” and “Black Lives Matter.”
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Taking a knee on the steps of the Pickens County courthouse.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
Many of the cars passing the scene on Main Street in downtown Pickens honked in support.
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
The group layed for 8 minutes and 46 seconds chanting George Floyd’s name and “No justice, no peace.”
Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress
PICKENS — Peaceful demonstrators gathered in Pickens on Monday to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., who died in police custody after an officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — sparking outrage nationwide about racial injustice and police brutality against African Americans.
“This isn’t about rioting and this isn’t about looting,” Serena Marchbanks, one of the protesters said. “This is about demanding justice — and about refusing to stay silent when my black brothers and sisters are targeted and profiled for nothing but the color of their skin. When a cop goes home, he can take his uniform off. I can’t take my blackness off — my son’s can’t take their blackness off — it’s who we are. And I am tired. I am tired of seeing our young black man taken away in body bags.”
The group, which consisted of around 35-40 people, met at Legacy Square in downtown Pickens for the rally and march, which was organized by Justin Sportsman on social media.
“It’s unity: That’s what we’re here for today,” Sportsman said. “I know some people in the community were concerned about us doing this, but this is a good thing.”
Rep. Davey Hiott, Sen. Rex Rice, Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry and Sheriff Rick Clark joined the group in Legacy a little before 5 p.m. and joined the protesters in prayer before marching with them to the Pickens County Courthouse.
Marchers chanted “I can’t breathe,” and shouted Floyd’s name as they walked, along with “No justice, no peace, no racist police.” At the courthouse, there was more prayers and a moment of silence before they returned to Legacy Square where marchers laid face-down along Main Street for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
Crowd reactions were varied: While many motorists honked their horns and shouted encouragement to the protesters, others revved their engines, laughed loudly and or shouted insults. At least two trucks passed by waving Confederate flags at the group.
Police Chief Travis Riggs said he had put extra officers out for the march but was expecting everything to proceed smoothly.
“We’re just here to make sure no one does anything stupid,” he said.
A similar event is scheduled to take place in downtown Easley on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.