'I can't breathe'

MARION - After a weekend of protests and riots across the U.S. spawned destruction and violence in the wake of the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd while in police custody last week, a protest in Marion on Monday evening remained peaceful and community leaders are hopeful that it opened the channels of communication.

About 200 people filled Marion's Tower Square Plaza Monday evening, carrying signs and chanting.

"I can't breathe," and "know justice, know peace," were some of the words the protesters used to bring their concerns to the public, as vehicles drove by, many honking and waving.

"I would be disingenuous if I say we weren't nervous," said Marion Mayor Mike Absher on Tuesday afternoon. "But I'm proud it happened and that it happened the way it did."

Absher was highly visible for the duration of the event, helping local law enforcement, city personnel, firefighters, and first responders in monitoring the event.

"I'm very proud of our police, fire, and city personnel," said Absher. "They were there to protect the rights of those that were there to have their say."

Absher said he was proud that Marion law enforcement made it clear to him that part of their job was to protect the First Amendment rights of those who were protesting.

"I'm proud it happened and that it happened the way it did," he said.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts echoed Absher's sentiments.

"I'm really proud of our city," he said, "The way the citizens from our community acted was perfect."

Fitts said there about 55 officers spread throughout the event as well as Illinois State Police, Marion firefighters, and other city officials and employees.

One of those employees was Boyton Street Community Center Director Stephanie Willis.

"City officials did a good job making sure everyone stayed as safe as possible. There was one confrontation but the police were called quickly and it was squashed."

Willis said the event also opened the lines of communication between the black community and law enforcement.

"It's a start," she said. "It brings much needed attention to an ongoing problem. I have had personal experience with law enforcement using excessive force in Marion and it has been addressed before but until we have a seat at the table and change is actually exerted then we can experience more of the same unfortunately."

Absher was quick to give credit to Larry Lee, pastor of the Refuge Temple Church of God in Christ in Marion, who addressed the crowd, offering prayer and words of peace from a microphone in a Marion fire department vehicle.

Lee said that people need to be heard.

"People are hurting," he said. "They're angry and they want to express themselves. When they don't get to express themselves, they keep being angry and things keep happening."

For Marion resident and former chairman of the BCCC board Ron Ferguson, the event accomplished its purpose.

"It let folks know that the African American community and others are tired of the same old thing when it comes to police brutality," he said.

Ferguson was part of the crowd that was fairly equal in numbers from black to white.

"I think that's a good thing," he said. "I think it gives hope for the future."

Ferguson said there is still a "systemic pattern of racism in America," that needs to be addressed.

"The most important thing for everyone is that problems need to be talked about," he said. "Don't let people forget until the next thing happens."

He said the next "obvious" step is that African Americans demand equality through voting, demonstrations, and justice for everybody.

"It's a situation where all communities need to stay vigilant to get things changed," he said.

Ferguson also noted that protecting the institution of the free press is vital to positive change.

For Absher, he is just proud that his community was able to come together and support the freedoms that are basic to every American.

"I'm proud," he said. "I think there are productive relationships and conversations that will come out of this."