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Black Lives Matter Hosts Peaceful March

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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.

He said black children are celebrated on the ball fields and are friends with their school mates but separate as they get older. Blacks receive the same academic degrees as others, but get passed over for promotions.
Edmonson asked, “What did we do to make you hate someone so much?”
Speaking of the courthouse just behind him, Edmonson said, we are not here to burn down the courthouse as some want you to believe. “The only thing we want in this courthouse is justice.”
Speaking of the peaceful movement, Edmonson said people must stand up and speak out. “This march does not stop here.”
Edmonson offered this scripture for the Bible.
If any one say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?