TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Support of the Black Lives Matter movement took to the streets of Terre Haute to spread awareness for change.
As they held signs and chanted different phrases like “Black Lives Matter” and “Breonna Taylor,” demonstrators marched from the Vigo County courthouse to the Terre Haute Police Station on Wabash Avenue.
Change of Terre haute founder Erick Beverely said police reform is just one of the many things he would like to see changed in the community.
“When it comes to police reform we want to see change in that,” said Beverely. “When it comes to our neighborhoods we want to see a change in that. When it comes to our education system, we want to see a change in our schooling. Any way possible we can make some type of change and get involved, we’re willing to do that.”
Many demonstrators said their main goal is to achieve equality for everyone. Jill Banta said it’s not fair how some races are treated.
“We hate and fear what we don’t understand. We’re all the same,” said Banta. “That’s the bottom line. No matter what our religious beliefs are or our skin color or our sexual beliefs. We’re all the same.”
Others said no one should ever judge a book by its cover. For Charlie Johnson, he hopes the march will inspire changes in the community that everyone can benefit from.
“Here to support the Black community because we’ve been oppressed for so long so we’re just using our voice and not violence on all aspects,” said Johnson. “Try and get the community to come together as a whole. Just help out anyway we can.”
Beverely said this is an event that he plans to continue on an annual basis to bring more awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement.
