‘Enough is Enough!’ peace march unites cross-section of demonstrators in South DeKalb
Photos and video provided via DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson
DEATUR—Hundreds of protestors recently joined DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson in a peaceful march against police brutality.
The Enough is Enough! We Will Breathe Again” demonstration was held on June 15, three days after Rayshard Brooks, 27, was fatally shot by an Atlanta Police officer, Garrett Rolfe following a complaint that Brooks fell asleep in a car while sitting in the drive-through of a Wendy’s restaurant. Rolfe, who is white, was charged with the black man’s murder. Officer Devin Brosnan also was charged in the shooting with four counts, including aggravated assault, after standing on Brooks’ shoulder as Brooks lay dying.
Brooks’ funeral will be held today, June 23, during a private service at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. A public viewing was held on Monday, June 22, at the church.
Brooks’ death, along with George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis, MN police officer on Memorial Day after the officer kneeled for nearly nine minutes on Floyd’s neck until he could not breathe, have sparked demonstrations across the nation against police brutality.
Johnson said members of the faith community, constituents, college students, small businesses and law enforcement united to stand in solidarity for peace last week. Protestors gathering at the Big Lots parking lot on Candler Road In South DeKalb.
Said Johnson: “I am profoundly saddened by the action that has taken place over the last several weeks with police officers murdering unarmed black men and women. We must continue to work collaboratively as the behavior we have experienced over the last several weeks is not representative of majority of the men and women who wear blue. I have built very strong relationships with our public safety community and have helped to bridge the gap with the community to foster better communication and mutual respect. We will continue to nurture and build off of those positive experiences and engagement with our community conversations and law enforcement.”
Participants in the demonstration included:
- Moderator & Greetings: Commissioner Larry Johnson
- Opening Remarks/Prayer – Pastor Alexis Brookings
- A Change is Gonna Come – Brandon Grey
- Pastor Harris (Prayer for Peace & Police)
- Bishop Murphy (Prayer for Millennials)
- Pastor Han (Prayer for Unified Community)
- Dr. Sherry (Prayer for 1st responders)
- Pastors Johnathan & Toni Alvarado
- Mya Millines (College Student’s Perspective)
- Rev. Speakman (Prayer for Passage – HB 426)
- Pastor Rucker (Prayer for Healthcare workers)
- Pastor Thomas (Bond between Community, Faith & Police)
- Pastor Berry (Prayer for Strengthening the Black Family)
- Pastor Flipping (Prayer for COVID-19 & other diseases)
- Imam Hamed (Unity amongst the Faith Comm)
- Pastor Goard (Pray against police brutality)
- Pastor Jackson (Prayer Educational System)
- Wendell Muhammad
- Pastor Caruthers
- Bishop Williams (Prayer for Small Businesses)
- Tiarra Johnson (Prayer for Young Women)
- Pastor Dial (Prayer for Black Leaders)
- DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox
1 Comment
Peaceful protests and voting are how civilized people establish change. I salute Commissioner Johnson (Larry) for his approach. While I may not agree with all his positions I admire his effort to make a difference.