HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — One year later, we are still saying the name of George Floyd. Demonstrators in Huntsville gathered in his honor on Tuesday.
Our Sydney Stallworth was there. She tells us what the community has to say.
Nine minutes and twenty nine seconds: that’s the length of the march demonstrators are taking in honor of George Floyd — one year after his death.
It's same length of time former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck before he took his last breath.
This was all organized by one woman, a veteran, who says she could not let the day pass without recognizing this tragic loss.
Angela Whitlock is a civil rights lawyer, Army veteran and the woman behind this demonstration. She says she knew she had to organize something while watching the trial of Derek Chauvin. Angela tells our reporter, “I was watching the Chauvin trial. There was a witness-- Alicia Oiler-- I think she was the second witness on the stand. When they were questioning her, they were asking certain things about the incident and she just couldn’t recall. She said ‘It’s been so long, I just can’t remember.' That really stood out to me. I felt the impact of his murder is something that we should never forget,” says United Women of Color Organizer, Angela Whitlock.
So, she sent out a call for help, and the community answered.
Angela says, “I decided to check around and ask is anyone here having an event or commemoration for the one-year anniversary and I didn’t get too much response back but I did get the United Women of Color respond and say they would be honored to coordinate this event with me. I started with them. Then Black Lives Matter Huntsville got on board. As well as St. John AME..."
Local activists touched on some of the injustice they say we face here in the Valley.
Awa Melendez of United Women of Color says, “I think we need to build on what the city says they’re already doing. You know, Huntsville City Council has talked about how they’re doing CIT training for police officers but I don’t believe it goes far enough," says Awa Melendez.
This movement has brought young organizers to the front lines.
We caught up with Alabama District 19 Representative Laura Hall. She tells our reporter, “....It says to me there is hope. And the hope is in the young people who believe they can make a difference,” says State Rep. Laura Hall, for Alabama, District 19.
Angela Whitlock shares, “This is my first event I’m organizing so I really didn’t know how to go about it. But… the response from the community and the organizations… When we have the same mindset when we have the same goal , we can accomplish a lot of things together and that’s what we’re doing here,”
More information on the demonstration:
Several local organizations are holding an event in Huntsville on Tuesday, May 25, to commemorate the death of George Floyd exactly one year prior.
"March for Justice: A George Floyd Commemoration" is being hosted by the United Women of Color, the Citizens Coalition for Justice Reform, St. John AME Church and Black Lives Matter Huntsville.
The event will begin at St. John AME Church at 6 p.m. where a candlelight vigil will be held before marching to Big Spring Park.
The event will feature orators, spoken word, performances and a time of reflection.
Organizers ask that no one brings inappropriate signs or posters. Water will be provided at the event and masks and social distancing will be required.
In April, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin is set to be sentenced on these charges on June 25th.
Several local organizations are holding an event in Huntsville on Tuesday, May 25, to commemorate the death of George Floyd exactly one year prior.
"March for Justice: A George Floyd Commemoration" is being hosted by the United Women of Color, the Citizens Coalition for Justice Reform, St. John AME Church and Black Lives Matter Huntsville.
The event will begin at St. John AME Church at 6 p.m. where a candlelight vigil will be held before marching to Big Spring Park.
The event will feature orators, spoken word, performances and a time of reflection.
Organizers ask that no one brings inappropriate signs or posters. Water will be provided at the event and masks and social distancing will be required.
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In April, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin is set to be sentenced on these charges on June 25.
RELATED: Derek Chauvin's defense attorney files motions to throw out guilty verdict, seeks new trial
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