On Sunday, a peaceful demonstration was carried out on the front steps of the Ft Payne City Police Department; that due to the recent death of George Floyd and in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Floyd died while being detained by Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin – a store employee called 9-1-1, after accusing Floyd of trying to purchase cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. During the arrest, Chauvin kept his knee on the side of Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd could be heard saying “I can’t breathe.”

According to the Black Lives Matter website – Black Lives Matter Foundation Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes”. 

As participants of the protest gathered at the adjoining Dollar General parking lot, they were met by Ft Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum who stated that it was their First Amendment right to protest as long as they stayed on and did not obstruct, the sidewalk. 

Bynum asked the protestors to work with police officers who were positioned throughout the city. He stated that police officers were there to protect them, store owners, and even anti-protestors, in case any violence occurred like in other cities, due to protests. 

Bynum then introduced Walter Waston, former Ft Payne Council member, who is African American, to the group of around 40 protesters. Watson led them in prayer, asking them to be peaceful and complimented them for caring about the fair treatment of all citizens. 

As a business owner in Ft Payne, Jack Davidson of Ft Payne Footworks said he didn’t worry about the local protestors, noting “We know people that are from Ft Payne and DeKalb County love this area.  When something bad happens in this area, they are the first to give to those in need.”

Ft Payne Mayor Larry Chesser said he was pleased with the actions of both sides during the approximately 20 minute protest.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH/www.southerntorch.com)