By Brian Blair
Invoking the words of sages through the ages, ranging from Biblical prophets such as Amos and Jeremiah to modern-day warriors of justice such as Maya Angelou and John Lewis, a series of speakers issued a clarion call Thursday for racial unity in Bartholomew County and the nation.
The pleas came at a racial unity rally before a lunchtime crowd of about 75 people at the Columbus City Hall steps with a theme of Hope Empowers Choices. The event follows on the heel of a similar June 4 rally that drew an estimated 700 to 1,000 people of various ages and races just after the death of George Floyd.
The local African American Pastors Alliance and the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch planned the latest peaceful gathering as a counter-initiative to what its members saw as continuing unfolding hate and division nationwide amid more police shootings of unarmed Black people and racial unrest.
Pastor David C. Bosley reminded those assembled that “we are all one blood, turning the tide of racism and hate to stop the impending flood.”
The audience included community leaders such as Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development, city council members Grace Kestler, Tom Dell and Jerone Wood, and a mix of local clergy who regularly show up at social justice gatherings. Listeners also included political candidates such as Jeannine Lee Lake, running for the U.S. Congress 6th District seat, and Dale Nowlin, candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives District 59.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic
