DECATUR, Ala. — Protesters in Decatur rallied together on Sunday to seek justice for George Floyd. His death by Minneapolis police sparked outrage across the country.
Demonstrators marched from Morgan County Courthouse to Lee Street then to Lucky's Supermarket. Some drivers honked in support of the protest. Leaders say the call to action is urgent.
"It's a fire burning right now y'all that needs to be put out. I know they're putting out the buildings that's burning, but it's a fire burning that's racism - that's gon have to be put out," says Rodney Gordon.
Although united, some leaders are calling on elected officials to show up. "What's missing here today is a lot of officials," says Gordon.
Gordon says Mayor Tab Bowling was scheduled to attend, but canceled. "He said, 'Rodney what can I do to help y'all?' I said 'stand beside me'. He told me that he would. Well, where he at?"
One of the organizers say they were led to walk because of their privilege.
"When it comes to walking down the street - taking a walk I don't have to be perceived as a threat, and if I do get pulled over for a minor infraction that I don't have to worry about getting anything more than a ticket," says Jessica Morris.
Other protesters say they were led by faith. "We have to do what the Lord tell us to do. So if the Lord tells me to stand up, to speak out, to fight back then that's what I am going to do," says Stephanie Taylor Plummer.
Law enforcement was present to protect and assist the protest. One deputy weighing in on the clip of George Floyd's death.
"There's right and there's wrong. What I've seen looked bad, and from where I sit we're going to let the Justice Department or let the courts take care of business," says Dep. John Vili, with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.
Protesters say they've had their own experience with racism, and it was time to speak on it. "Fannie Lou Hamer said it best - sick and tired of being sick and tired," says Gordon.
Leaders who spearheaded the protest wrapped it up in about 30 minutes. However some people stayed a little longer at Lucky's market and the Morgan County Courthouse.