Downtown Wilmington protesters vow to continue demonstrations until 2021

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 10th straight day of demonstrations wrapped up peacefully in downtown Wilmington on Monday as the curfew went into effect at 9 p.m. once again. However, activists involved in the Port City movement say this is just the beginning.

“We have a year,” said organizer Lily Nicole. “We have a permit until June 6, 2021.”

The Black Lives Matter demonstrations are still attracting large crowds, more than a week after they began.

“It’s going to change everything. This is the 2020 revolution,” said protester Lauren Bennett.

Many participants have no intention of slowing down.

“I still plan to come out as much as possible, at least four days a week,” said protester Angie Ulmer.

While the overall focus on the value of African-American lives is still present, the format and the goal is changing. It started with ‘Mentor Monday.’

“This is the beginning of our sustainability program,” Nicole said. “This is not a protest, this is an education program. This is an opportunity for people of the community to come out and talk to the youth. This is where the change happens.”

Each week has been planned out by organizers. Up next is Political Tuesday, followed by Women of Color Wednesday, Block Party Thursday, Arts Leaders Friday, Community Leader Saturday and Spiritual Sunday.

“It’s a week-long programming, it’s engagement, it’s what the community needs and it’s what the kids need,” Nicole said.

Monday’s mentor was Sonya Patrick of Black Lives Matter Wilmington. She reminded the crowd how important it is to get out and vote.

“The system has to change, and the people that change the system are people we place in office, they make these decisions,” Patrick said.

Nicole says the group plans to have political leaders and political science experts speak to the crowd on Tuesday. She also hopes the City of Wilmington will lift the 9 p.m. curfew.