Arkansas educators lead march to George Floyd mural

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Even with school out for the summer, teachers, students and members of the community stood up Friday afternoon to protest racial injustices in the classroom and beyond.

The peaceful march began at the Arkansas State capitol, traveled down 7th street, and ended at the mural depicting George Floyd.

The group heard from both students and educators. Many called for an end to systemic racism in Arkansas schools.

“Racism and social injustice doesn’t start the day your kid turns 18, you know?" said co-organizer and teacher Johnny Laine. "It’s something that starts from the day that they’re born and in some cases, it’s promoted through the schools.”

The March was organized in honor of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer last week. Flowers were handed out and placed underneath a mural depicting Floyd's face.

“On a day-to-day basis, people of color in classrooms are overlooked," said Wendell Scales Jr., a Central Arkansas teacher who also helped put together the march.

There were many allies, of all races, who joined in on the march.

“In my mind, the duty of a teacher is to educate and be an ally of the student and to help them reach the next point in life," said LRSD graduate Norel McAdoo. " And so, how can we trust you to help us get to the next point in life when you don’t even care? If you’re not out here, then you don’t care about us.”

McAdoo said he's grateful so many are fighting the fight alongside him.

"It’s something that black people alone cannot fix or solve; we didn’t create it," McAdoo said. "We don’t have the responsibility of ending it. Only white people can end it because they’re the creators of it.”

Throughout the afternoon, organizers gave students of color an opportunity to speak about their experiences growing up in Arkansas schools.

“A lot of times, we talk at them and we don’t give them that chance to talk," Scales said. "So this is their opportunity, and I hope people heard them today."

The demonstration lasted a couple of hours and remained peaceful the entire time. Little Rock Police assisted in escorting the group down 7th Street.