‘Everybody needs to step up’: Hundreds show for peaceful protest in The Market Common
Fabiola Johnson was just 12 years old when she learned what it meant to be profiled based on the color of her skin.
Coming home from the supermarket in Queens, New York, the now-Myrtle Beach resident said a police officer stopped her a block away from her home and accused her of trying to steal a car. With grocery bags in her hand waiting to cross the street, she didn’t understand why she would be accused of something of that nature.
Born in Haiti and eventually moving to Queens, she said she didn’t know what racism was until that moment.
Now with kids of her own, Johnson said she marched with nearly 500 other people during Sunday’s demonstration at The Market Common with the hope of inciting change so her children never have to experience what it means to be targeted by the police.
“I want my son and daughter to be able to come home every single day. I want them to be safe,” Johnson said. “This is for them and other young boys and young women so that they don’t continue to live in an America where we are considered a threat.”
Hundreds gathered at Grand Park on Sunday afternoon to protest police violence, justice reform and systemic racism just weeks after a video went viral of black man, George Floyd, dying as a white Minneapolis police officer put his knee across Floyd’s neck for several minutes during an arrest. During the video, Floyd is heard telling officers he can’t breathe.
The protest, organized by local group The Peaceful Protest, led demonstrators carrying an array of signs and chanting slogans such as “black lives matter” and “no justice, no peace” around The Market Common. Mayor Brenda Bethune, Police Chief Amy Prock and City Manager John Pedersen led the group as police stopped traffic and provided a safe route for attendees to peacefully march.
While the trio stayed quiet and left abruptly after the march, the roughly five-hour protest continued as speakers and activists highlighted the systematic oppression members of the black community have endured for centuries. Organizers also provided water, face masks and a table for members to register to vote.
Peaceful Protest member Sheldon Butts said the violence, racism, injustice and hate that is displayed everyday across the nation and world needs to stop. While condemning the violence that has resulted in countless black men dying at the hands of the police, he said protesting won’t matter if people don’t vote to fight for that change.
“We have a plight going on not only in front of us in our respective counties and cities that we live in, but we have a plight across this world right now that we’re seeing everyday,” Butts said. “Black lives really do matter.”
Georgetown County NAACP president Marvin Neal agreed that change is needed. Noting the more than 400 years worth of oppression the black community has experienced, he said he has hope change can happen if people of all races and ethnic backgrounds band together to make it happen.
He added that nothing can change unless the effort is made in solidarity.
“Everybody needs to step up to the plate,” Neal said. “Black lives matter but white support is necessary to get to where we need to be.”
Sunday’s protest was just one of many that have popped up in both Horry and Georgetown counties. While violent protests have erupted across the nation and in other South Carolina communities, demonstrations throughout the week have remained peaceful with support from local law enforcement officials.
It was only last Sunday that Myrtle Beach saw one protest get tense. Police — some SWAT and others in riot gear — were seen forcing protesters blocking the Ted Collins Law Enforcement Center to move after several warnings. Several people were taken into custody in the process and charged with disorderly conduct or violating the city’s temporary curfew.
Police during Sunday’s rally were not wearing riot gear and there was no curfew in place. Municipal leaders have previously requested protest organizers to work with them to ensure the safety and wellness of residents and tourists.
Later Sunday evening about 75 people gathered at Chapin Park for a Myrtle Beach city sponsored event called “All Colors in Action.” The series, which will take place on various Sunday’s, aims to join residents of all backgrounds in unity to hold discussions focused on race, healing, peace and understanding.
“This is an opportunity to come together with open hearts and open minds to really talk about the things that we need to be talking about, about peace and unity, diversity, healing, and it’s a time to celebrate our colors,” Bethune said. “God did not make us one color; he created us an amazing and beautiful palette that should be celebrated, celebrated together.”
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 4:51 PM.
