Dozens gather outside Louisville church in peaceful protest
In a stark contrast to the late night riots over the past few days, dozens gathered peacefully Sunday afternoon along Fourth Street. With the occasional encouragement of a car horn, many held signs demanding not just equality but justice.
Florence Lee Westcott, 81, was in that crowd.
"My grandsons don't have to be afraid to go out in a car, or to walk down the street. They're free. Black young men are not and it's terrifying," Lee Westcott told WLKY when asked her reason for attending.
Rev. Lori Kyle with First Unitarian Church of Louisville organized Sunday's rally, demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. She made it clear hers is a congregation that does not condone the violence and vandalism that has plagued the city for three nights.
"We're looking to do it in another way but to join the same message that injustice isn't right and to fight it and fight it actively," Rev. Kyle said.
It is a message local civil rights icon Mattie Jones has lived. She marched peacefully alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to promote change more than 50 years ago.
Jones called on those in Louisville to spend the day peacefully and in prayer, "The violence is not the answer, tearing up the city is not the answer. The tearing up all over the country is not the answer. Sunday is our day of prayer."
And through prayer and peaceful demonstrations like Sunday's, Rev. Kyle believes there can be change.
"It's because of congregations such as mine that there will be a response and there will be activity and there will be justice coming out of these things that have happened," she said.
About 40 people, including faith leaders and members of other congregations, attended Sunday's rally.