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HUNTINGDON (July 5) — A march to celebrate Black Lives Matter was peaceful and well supported in Huntingdon on Sunday, July 5. As part of a nationwide attempt to show that black lives matter, the local event was organized by Small Town Nutrition and associates Brittany Baker and Satori Watson. Baker said there were many local persons involved in planning the peaceful event.
The event started at former Barnett Shopping Center with words of encouragement from Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler and ended, after a march, on the steps of the Carroll County Courthouse. There were no incidents of violence or vandalism.
Marchers held signs to support their cause as they marched in the 90 degree heat. Huntingdon Police Department Director Walter Smothers provided the escort for the parade as other officers blocked intersections for the safe passage of the marchers. When they arrived at the courthouse, the gathering stood on the steps, held their signs, and memorialized those who have lost their lives in recent weeks in apparent race-related shootings and other events.
Cedric Edmonson, a supervisor for the United States Postal Service, was introduced as the featured speaker. He is a U.S. veteran, minister, and vice-president of the county NAACP.
Edmonson said the positions he achieved were his choice. “I had no choice in being a black man.” He said the gathering of people were standing together because “We are not happy because we are not equal.”
He said he sees people of color getting killed in a system that is broken. While there have not been racially-motiviated deaths in Carroll County, it could happen.