March hopes to give justice a voice

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A peaceful protest in Wilmington served as an effort to remember those killed after altercations with police.

On the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, about 50 people showed up to march and rally in memory of those who are gone. They took their message to the street in the hot sun chanting, “No justice, no peace.”

The march was in hopes of getting out the message that some in the community don’t feel justice was served after law enforcement was cleared of any wrongdoing in the deaths of four people. Those people were killed during officer-involved use-of-force incidents.

“It’s not a race thing,” said Jamie Stokely, who attended the rally with her 6-year-old son. “It ain’t about race. It’s about justice.”

For its part the Wilmington Police Department says it has had meetings with groups of all kinds and is willing to listen to anyone who has concerns. A spokesperson for the department says leaders plan to implement some of the changes suggested in these meetings. Those changes will be announced at next week’s City Council workshop.