150+ in Newark join in peaceful protest against racism after George Floyd death

NEWARK - It was not in Nicole Rockwell’s plans to come to downtown Newark on Sunday, but the issue was too important to ignore.

Rockwell and two daughters, both Granville High School students, were among the more than 150 people who peacefully gathered early Sunday afternoon for the Together We Rise rally. The event lasted for nearly two hours on the grounds of the Licking County Courthouse.

"We have had a lot of conversations about what's been going on and what we can do and where we fit in," Rockwell said. "Literally at the last minute, my oldest asked if it was something we can do. It's a start."

Social media has been captivated since Monday, when George Floyd died, stemming from an incident with Minneapolis police. Protests immediately began in Minnesota and have spread in recent days to cities throughout the country, including Columbus.

Teens have been among the most vocal on social media, pledging their support for those protesting police brutality and racial injustice. More than 20 local teens were in Sunday's crowd.

"Living in Granville, it's kind of a bubble, and we don't see a lot of (the violence) there," Rockwell said. "I would like to see more education in general. In our schools, I would love to see these guys have some kind of classes and training on what racism means, what the origins are and what it really means to take a stand and fight back against just stupidity in general."

More than a dozen spoke at the rally organized by Deb Dingus, pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and executive director of the United Way. Speakers included Newark City Councilman Jeremy Blake but also many citizens who were moved by the energy and unexpectedly went to the microphone.

The event wrapped with Dingus leading most of the crowd in an 8-minute and 46-second moment of silence to honor Floyd. The crowd then marched a lap around the grounds, chanting their support for Floyd’s memory.

"We can't presume to understand 400 years of racism, but we know injustice when we see it," Thornville resident Rhonda Stevens said. "We have to stand up for them and say no. Enough is enough."

Peggy Ruton’s sign said it all. It read: “I am the mother of black men. My sons matter!!”

"It's hard to even describe. It's 2020, and this is where we are. It's just heartbreaking," Ruton said. "For us to still be going through this is beyond belief to me."

Ruton said she appreciated the large peaceful crowd, but she noticed one group was absent. No law enforcement attended the event.

"Where are the police now?" she asked. "Why aren't they down here to support this action? Not to stand nose to nose with us, but to walk with us."

Blake read the names of several of the black men and women, who have died in police-involved interactions. He urged the crowd to contact Mayor Jeff Hall through phone and email regarding the upcoming selection of a new chief of Newark Police.

Joshua Jenkins explained he has eight children and is hoping to build a local organization that can help those in need similar to the way the Yes Clubhouse “completely changed” his life in when he was a teenager.

"I don't want to destroy our community. I don't want to see anybody else get hurt," Jenkins said. "I want (my children) to be able to look at our community as a pillar."

Jamie Holderman’s thoughts also turned to her five children. Her oldest is a 13-year-old son, and the Newark resident said the events of the last week make children grow up quickly.

Holderman said as her son grows from a boy and into a man, strangers particularly will begin to see him differently

"We have to talk about the balance between fear and action and wanting to do what we can to make things better," Holderman said. "I really try hard not to take away the innocence that my kids have. My kids here in this community feel like everyone is the same, but having a 13-year-old son, it's difficult because I want him to understand when you are out and doing things -- teens don't always make the best decisions -- I worry."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @newarkurt