SARASOTA – Mere days after Suncoast residents protest the killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, protesters take to the streets once more after a video surfaces of a Sarasota officer kneeling on a man’s neck during an arrest sparks outrage on the Suncoast.
“We want peace, and we’re taught to love our enemy and that’s what we’re trying to do, that all we’re trying to do,” said Jovian Battis.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Bayfront park to start their march through the streets of downtown Sarasota…
Demanding justice and changes in the way the women and men in blue react to the controversial issue of police brutality among people of color, particularly the African American community. Community organizer with ANSWER Suncoast, Ruth Beltran says minority groups are tired of seeing the growing issue of police brutality go unanswered for so long.
“About 100 organizations that do anti-racism work and we spend a lot of time trying to bring justice to different incidents, and this time we see the people want more,” said Beltran. “They are advocating for an actual change in the entire system.”
With SPD officers closing streets off they allowed the protesters voices be heard, and in a powerful showing of solidarity console those who are hurt seeing their loved be killed as a result of excessive forced used by police. With officers taking a knee in response to the movement.
Battis a 24-year-old Sarasota resident says protesting and calling out officers who abuse their power, will be only way to address the killings of unarmed black in the U.S.
“We willing to let all that go, cause they’ll just come get us we’re just going to end up dead,” said Battis. “We can’t stop the government. What’re they going to do? They’re going to bring the national guard, then what? What’re we really going to do?”
Despite the rising tension between the men and women who pledged to serve and the people in their community they promise to protect Tuesday’s peaceful protest allowed for the communication to begin between the two groups.
The group continued to march all over Sarasota, late Tuesday night walking down U.S. 301. Black Lives Matter Sarasota-Manatee Alliance plans to host a press conference at 5 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to address racism and police brutality.