Black Lives Matter comes to Du Quoin

An estimated 200 people held a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally and march in Du Quoin on Saturday, an event that organizer Amanda Mitchell said was about "unity, togetherness and love."

Mitchell, the owner of Panda's Detailing in Du Quoin, pulled the event together in less than 48 hours. The event connected Du Quoin to the nationwide protests immediately following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

In Du Quoin, marchers gathered in Keyes Park for a quick inspirational meeting, and a prayer and moment of silence led by Pastor Nathan Jackson of Vision Church.

With signs that said "Black Lives Matter," "I Can't Breathe," "Equality," and "No More Hate" among many other messages, the group - black, white, moms, dads, elderly and toddlers - proceeded south on Washington Street to McDonald's and then north again on the east sidewalk.

Demonstrators chanted "Black Lives Matter," "No Justice, No Peace," "Say his name - George Floyd," and "Say her name - Breonna Taylor" (the Louisville EMT fatally shot by police in her apartment in March).

With huge coolers of iced, bottled water available to marchers, Du Quoin businessmen Keenan Rice and Tracy Fenton also grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and Crisey Fenton and Dawn Heumann handed out chips and water, as marchers returned to the Mark's Bakery corner.

Rice said it was important to him to understand the Black Lives Matter movement and support his community.

The march was also supported by the city of Du Quoin and its police department.

"This is a conversation that all communities need to have," said Mayor Guy Alongi, who could not attend personally on Saturday because of a pressing family issue. "I don't care how small or large (a community) you are, an ongoing conversation is always warranted."

Du Quoin Police Chief Steve Ingram said he brought in a few more officers than would normally work on a Saturday. As the procession often stretched over more than three blocks at once, police regulated traffic at intersections to keep the march together, and the walkers protected.

Other officers drove the route and some, in uniform, walked with the marchers.

"As far as police involvement, we're here to ensure the event is a success for everybody." Ingram said. "Amanda is doing a great job of bringing attention to something that needs to be addressed in a positive way. My role in this is to make sure she can have her event and it's as safe as possible."

Former Du Quoin police chief and current city commissioner Mike Ward is the only African-American on the Du Quoin council. He walked with a sign that said, "Let's be the change."

"This is a peaceful demonstration, to show unity," Ward said Saturday, stressing that the Du Quoin event was not anti-police.

"I think this is a good idea, and Amanda is trying to do it right."

Mitchell said she was motivated to organize the protest after seeing her son's reaction to George Floyd's death, and after joining an impromptu group of about 20 people last week started by one man with a Black Lives Matter sign.

Mitchell said that for her and her sister, Tenielle Worthington, a "light came on" that they could get more people involved in embracing equality - and her 2-year-old granddaughter is a big part of her motivation.

The best part about Saturday's protest, she said, was in bringing people together, giving them a voice, and encouraging equality.

"God works it all out in the end," Mitchell said.