A group of citizens peacefully assembled in downtown Washington Court House on Tuesday. They were bringing awareness to the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
The group started small at 6 p.m. and grew to about 75 people about an hour later at the corners of Court and Main Streets.
Signs held read, “Say their names,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “Hands up, don’t shoot!” The group also chanted those sentiments while shouting “George Floyd.” Floyd, a Minneapolis black man, was killed last week in a neck restraint while a now-former officer pinned him to the ground with a knee. The former officer has been charged in the death.
In the shadows of Tuesday’s assembly were three deputies in an unmarked SUV keeping an eye over the peaceful gathering. Across the street were approximately 10 citizens in tactical gear holding large assault rifles. When the group of peaceful protesters marched the one-block to the local police department, the vigilantes followed.
A group of private citizens dropped off water and pizza for the rally while dozens honked their horns while driving by in a sign of solidarity.
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While at the police department, the group chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho! Racist cops have got to go!” — a nod to local police Sergeant Derek Pfeifer, who made headlines for racist and insensitive comments in 2014; Pfeifer was also fired from the state prison system in 2005 for using the “N” word.
Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth said one person was cited for some type of disorderly conduct, but that she was a passerby and “counter protester.”
