- April 18, 2024
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Tyrique Harper. Image capture
Madison Barchowski. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Harlem Caldwell. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Kimberly Lee and Travis Lee join the march. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Cameron O'Fallon, Sage Cox, Keira Kelly and Marlee O'Fallon. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
David Vigo. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Andre Darby. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Maria Regeci. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Karen Barchowski, Kate and Ellie Zaccaro, Madison Barchowski and Emily Sonni. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Photos by Anastasia Pagello
A diverse crowd of about 200 marched from Wadsworth Park to Veterans Park in Flagler Beach, on Wednesday, June 3, to give voice to their outrage over the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody.
Owners of Sally’s Ice Cream, in Flagler Beach, organized the gathering. “We planned this protest, not through social media, but only word of mouth,” said Madison Barchowski, daughter of Karen Barchowski, owner of Sally’s Ice Cream. "We wanted to ensure it would remain peaceful. We are doing this as a platform to help people make their voices heard, and to pave the way for a better world for the next generation. These voices have to be heard!”
David Vigo, a friend of the Barchowskis, spoke to the crowd as they gathered at the entrance of Wadsworth Park, and addressed all of those who died due to police brutality and as a result, lost their lives.
As the crowd walked, their chants included: “No justice, no peace,” “I can’t breathe" and "Black lives matter."
“It is time for everybody to come together.”
TRAVIS LEE
Many cars passing the protest slowed down and honked to the crowd.
“It is really great to see the community's support in this matter,” said Travis Lee, walking among the protestors with his wife, Kimberly. “It is time for everybody to come together.”
Kimberly Lee was in the news last year when two of her students exchanged racist electronic messages about her. The students were arrested, and she was so disturbed that she took a leave of absence for months.
“I see on the news too many reports of violent protesters rioting and looting,” said Harlem Caldwell, who was carrying a sign that read, "Justice for black lives." “Small gatherings like this prove that people can protest peacefully.”
“Today we are shedding light upon the broken system in which we live, and of which was a part of our country's conception,” Karen Barchowski said. “We are spreading the love, and reinforcing the fact that we can no longer remain silent. Black lives matter!”
In Veterans Park in Flagler Beach, the crowd gathered around the fountain, creating a stage for those who wished to speak.
Among those who addressed the gathering was Tyrique Harper. “There are 20 names on this poster,” Harper said as he held one up for the crowd to see. “That’s 20 families. Now imagine each one of these individuals had two kids. A grandmother, a mother, a father, a son. This could be any one of us. It’s time.”
As the crowd responded, "Yes!" he became emotional. Applause encouraged him to continue.
"I want change. I don’t want to riot."
TYRIQUE HARPER
“Don’t let them lose sight of what this means," he said. "Do not let them forget the pain, the anger. I am so angry right now!” Harper paused as he took a breath and looked at the tense faces around him. “But I want change. I don’t want to riot. I don’t want to destroy everything; I don’t want to hate cops; I don’t want to hate those on the opposite side. Those people are my family; I played college ball with those people. I live my life with those people. I work with those people. I want to love them! But I want change! ...
“It has been too many centuries that we have remained silent,” Harper continued. “... This is not a fit, this is a cry for help! ... I know change is going to come. But it is up to you." Harper then singled out individuals in the crowd. “It is up to all of us to not let this stop.”
Harper proceeded to say the names of some black men who had been killed in confrontations with police, followed by an echoing roar from the crowd. “These names were attached to a life. And they were cut short because of ignorance — because of a predetermined thought process of what and who they were," he said. "… I will stand and fight until my last breath, the only thing that I can ask is that you do the same.”
Brian McMillan contributed to this report.
