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Hundreds of people peacefully protest in Mt Pleasant on Sunday

Police escorted protesters as they marched from the corner of Mission and Blue Grass Streets to downtown Mt Pleasant

Organizers said approximately 500 people protested in Mt Pleasant Sunday, chanting “Say his name,”  and “no justice, no peace” as they marched down Mission Street. 

The crowd consisted of CMU students and faculty and Mount Pleasant community members. Many carried

signs reading “Black Lives Matter,”

Mary Irving, a Mt Pleasant community member that protested the Vietnam War said she feels the protest

was well coordinated but upset that it was needed today. “We all sang ‘we shall overcome’ together back in the early days and I’m not sure what we should be singing today.”

 

After a nearly three mile walk downtown, the crowd laid face-down on Broadway Street chanting “I can’t breathe” for nine minutes to represent the death of George Floyd.

Protesters chanted "I can't breathe" as they lay on the ground, reminiscent of the last words of George Floyd

The Mount Pleasant Police Department cooperated by closing down roads and escorting the crowd downtown. The police chief marched with them and spoke during the demonstration.