Two years after George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, a car procession in downtown Springfield to keep the conversation about social justice proactive.
State Senator Doris Turner, present at the event, said, “We have become a reactionary society. We have an episode that happens, and everyone is up in arms, and everyone wants to react in that moment.” Turner said that events like the car procession keep the conversation going and that policy makers need to depoliticize hard issues like the debate over a need to reform gun laws.
The procession through downtown Springfield was organized by the local chapter of Black Lives Matter.
BLM/Springfield co-founder Sunshine Clemons commented on the need to remain mindful of local issues like the recent hate-filled social media posts of a now-former Springfield police officer.
“It’s very important,” Clemons said. “This is not just a Black issue, or an LGBTQ+ issue, or a Jewish issue. This effects the entire community, and we think it’s important that there be transparency in place and that the community is kept up to date on what’s going on, what actions are being taken—especially what proactive actions are being taken—to do all that’s possible to ensure there is not another Aaron Nichols on the force.”
Hundreds of community supporters participated in Sunday’s car procession, including (pictured) members of the Springfield Roadrunners Club.