‘Time for a change.’ Hundreds rally in Gulfport for unity and end to racial injustice.
Hundreds of Coast residents of all races marched Saturday with Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania, local ministers and city officials in a rally to end violence, racism, hate and discrimination.
Event coordinator Greg Whitfield organized the rally and prayer service in response to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
Some held signs that read, “Black lives matter,” and “Help us Lord,” and others had posters calling for peace and help from the Lord to overcome racial injustice.
Some wore T-shirts that read, “I can’t breath” to reflect Floyd’s final pleas before he fell silent and died while Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin had a knee on his neck.
Chauvin and three other Minneapolis officers have been charged in Floyd’s death.
Marchers gathered at the Barksdale Pavilion in Jones Park and walked to the steps of the public safety center downtown, where Mayor Billy Hewes spoke along with Papania and local clergy prayed for peace and racial justice.
‘The house that’s burning’
Marcus and Denise Whitfield brought their young son, Caiden, to the march to show their support for unity and change, but also to support the police officers who respect those in the community and perform their jobs accordingly.
“We want to show unity among one another to not only support the fight for justice for black lives but for all lives that matter,” Marcus Whitfield said. “Yes, we are out here fighting for our black lives but also for every life as well.
“We are paying attention to black boys right now because that is the house that’s burning,” he said. “I think if black people knew that a fair justice would be served, then you wouldn’t be seeing the riots and protests that have come to a boiling point in some communities.”
Papania praised those who attended the march Saturday, telling those in attendance they have validated his belief that Coast is united and stands together to fight injustice.
He also challenged participants to think beyond the stage of national politics.
“I would challenge you to quit looking for national leadership to get us through it,” he said. “It’s not there. The Democrats, the Republicans have all lost their minds — it is going to be up to us.
“Let’s stick together and let’s make it a better place.”
‘Particularly disturbing’
Before the march, Papania talked to the Sun Herald about what happened to Floyd after the officers approached him for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill for cigarettes.
“It’s difficult even being in law enforcement and seeing so many videos and occurrences of any violence, but it’s particularly disturbing when the perpetrators are wearing a uniform and a badge,” Papania said. “That’s affecting public trust, but that is not representative of the majority of law enforcement.”
Papania, Whitfield, Hewes and other clergy want to focus on efforts to build a coalition that will work with police to promote racial harmony.
“We have to recognize the uniqueness and history between law enforcement and the African American community,” Papania said. “There is a history of oppressiveness, and we have to make sure we are taking the necessary steps to move forward.”
Curley Clark, president of the Jackson County chapter of the NAACP, also attended Saturday’s rally and prayer service.
“Black people are hurting,” Clark said. “Black families are hurting, and it’s time for a change.”
Temple Baptist Church Rev. Jakavious Pickett called on the community to come together.
“There is as season for everything that teaches us that things come and go,” Pickett said. “...The season of systematic racism is over. Today, we are standing in unity and will no longer be divided.”
