Protestors fill downtown corridor for June 7 rally
By Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer
STEVENS POINT – A third Stevens Point protest was held on June 7 in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign, with dozens more scattered across the state, in response to the death of George Floyd in May.
Hundreds of protestors took to the downtown area, lining down Center Point Drive through to the Clark Street Bridge, filling the downtown corridor. Protestors also took to the downtown square to rally around speakers later in the afternoon.
“It’s important because we are not immune to the problems that the whole nation faces, we’ve got to get out there and show support,” explained Mick Veum, of Stevens Point. “My neighbors are all different ethnic backgrounds. We have to show support for everybody.”
Veum attended the protest shouldering a pride flag, water, and free supplies for his peers.
“I was at the Wausau protest (on June 6), and it was nice because they had water and things for the people there, so I wanted to have some stuff ready for people who maybe didn’t think to bring it.”
Speakers took to the streets near the Clarke Street bridge to come together in public prayer and unite for chants like “no justice, no peace.”
Area resident Nina Mairs was at the protest and noted that “it’s important that everybody in the community feels welcome and feels like they are on even footing and safe.”
Mairs said that she feels the protest is a clear indication that Stevens Point residents care for their neighbors regardless of race, religion, or other factors.