DAYTON — There have been dozens of local protests, rallies and unity marches across the Miami Valley over the last week in response to the death of George Floyd.
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Many local leaders in government and the protest movement are thinking about how to turn this time into permanent and positive change in how people are treated.
Some protests locally have resulted in minor clashes between participants and police officers while others have remained peaceful.
“The protests are to start the conversation. It’s very important that we begin to have deep-rooted change in the community. To do that, you have to make awareness. The protests allow us to make awareness and build relationships within our community,” said Asia Gibbs of The Solution Movement.
Many people involved in rallies this weekend are considering the best ways to make long-term changes between police and communities of color as well as changes in legal and governmental systems.
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“If we want to move toward this thing, let’s actually move toward it. I get the frustration. I get the resistance. Let’s actually do something in Dayton, Ohio,” said Michael Simpson, CEO of Jetway Records.
Between 150 to 200 people walked through the Oregon District in Dayton for a Unity March Thursday afternoon.
Dayton police officers on bikes and cruisers escorted the marchers who chanted and held signs as they walked to City Hall.
The marchers gathered for speeches and talked about longer-term impact of the movement that was sparked after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis.