Weekend rallies ‘for justice and change’ planned in Beaufort, Bluffton and on Hilton Head
A second weekend of planned demonstrations in Bluffton, Beaufort and on Hilton Head Island aim to bring attention to racism, police brutality and the recent high-profile killings of black people by police and armed white people.
A peaceful protest is planned at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Campbell Chapel AME in Old Town Bluffton, where demonstrators are encouraged to bring signs as well as masks to reduce the chance of coronavirus spread.
On Hilton Head, the town has endorsed a rally at 5 p.m. Sunday at Chaplin Park, where speakers are planned to address the crowd before they move to the side of U.S. 278 to protest. The event, “Rally For Justice And Change,” has been organized by the Hilton Head MLK Jr. Celebration Planning Committee.
The weekend plans follow two weeks of demonstrations throughout the country to advocate for justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
In Bluffton, hundreds gathered last weekend in their cars to parade through the area around Eagles Field with signs calling attention to the recent violence. On Thursday, young people lined the streets in Old Town Bluffton holding signs.
Dafina Ward, who was part of that demonstration, told The Island Packet she was surprised by the amount of positive reactions she received from cars passing by.
On Hilton Head, a small group held signs Sunday evening on the side of U.S. 278. The demonstration inspired Marc Grant, the only black elected leader at the Town of Hilton Head Island, to call for changes in the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and awareness of national issues.
“I realize that many of our citizens that move to Hilton Head fought those battles somewhere else and are ready to be comfortable,” he said. “But I challenge us all. As leaders, we have to become uncomfortable.”
In Beaufort, protests continued throughout the week. This weekend, the protests will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ribaut Road and Boundary Street, according to organizer Tim Garvin. The demonstrations are expected to remain peaceful.
Organizers plan to survey volunteers to see if they want to continue on Sunday. A special protest event for teachers took place Friday.
Who are George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery?
Floyd, 46, died May 25 after he was pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer, who held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, even after Floyd became unresponsive. Officers were attempting to arrest him for allegedly paying for something with counterfeit bills, The Associated Press reported.
Later that week, the officer who pinned Floyd down was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other three officers involved have also been charged.
Taylor, 26, was shot eight times by Louisville police who entered her home on March 13, The Associated Press reported.
“The warrant to search Taylor’s home on March 13 was in connection with a suspect who did not live there,” the AP reported. “Police found no drugs at Taylor’s home after using a “no-knock” search warrant, which allows them to enter without first announcing their presence.”
Arbery, 25, was killed Feb. 23 near Brunswick, Georgia when a white father and son armed themselves and pursued him after spotting him running in their neighborhood, The Associated Press reported.
More than two months passed before authorities arrested Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son, Travis McMichael, 34, on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault. Gregory McMichael told police he suspected Arbery was a burglar.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 4:20 PM.
