A large group of people are gathering at Columbus City Hall in preparation for a solidarity rally at noon today to show support for families of African American victims in a string of high-profile cases across the nation.
Sponsored by the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch, the local African American Pastors Alliance and the Justice Resource Center of Columbus, the rally is to be a peaceful solidarity rally, organizers said.
Organizers also said they want to stand with the Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement who say that the use of force such as a knee placed on the neck of a suspect would never be tolerated locally.
The rally is happening on the same day as the first memorial service for George Floyd, who was killed May 25, whose death was played on video with Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was accused of pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck. Chavin has been charged with second degree murder in the case. The three other officers at the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder and second degree manslaughter.
For more on today’s rally, check back here, or pick up a Friday Republic.
