Participants of a planned Black Lives Matter protest in Marble Falls say they will conduct a peaceful demonstration, while dousing a political firestorm which erupted on social media.
The event – which was launched by at least four members of the Marble Falls High School class of 2020 – is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13 in Johnson Park.
Marble Falls police assisted the group in planning after fielding concerns from residents and business owners worried about images of violence and property destruction on the national level making its way to the local community. During the organizing meeting, Marble Falls police officials encouraged the group, who ultimately agreed, to avoid leaving the park and marching into downtown Main Street, due to “safety” concerns.
A political backlash about the protest first announced a week ago also followed on social media.
The group initially recommended a protest in the right-of-way of the intersection of two state highways in the city.
Next, officials steered the group away from a march route from the park to downtown Marble Falls.
Instead, the event will include a prayer circle in the park, faith-based speakers, brief comments from community leaders and a “breaking of the bread” lunch.
Initially cast as a protest, the group wanted to express their objection to the in custody death of a black man on May 25 in Minnesota.
Group members explained that June 13 coincides with that date in 1866 marked by the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment that gave blacks freedom and the right to vote.