A Peaceful Protest

By: Kayla Pinkerman
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I did it- I went to my first protest. I stood up for what I think is right. My small town
came together and had not one, but two peaceful protests. From start to finish, they were both
peaceful. People from so many different backgrounds came together, amidst a pandemic to show unity for a common cause.

Many of the organizers from the protest that I attended were young- mostly under 20
years old. One of the people who spoke before the march began, the words she used will stay
with me forever. One thing she said, in particular, really got me to reflect not only on my town or
state but this nation as a whole.

She said, “We live in a society where compliance can still be seen as defiance.” She may have been young, but her voice was powerful.

After she, and others, spoke we started the march. We walked over a bridge named after
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Everyone stopped to have a moment of silence at the bottom of the
bridge in honor of George Floyd and others who have died.

Most people wore masks, despite the ninety-degree weather. We chorused phrases like,
“No justice! No peace!” I lead some of them towards the end of the march. When it got quiet I
used my voice to keep people going.
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The sign that I made said “Silence = Violnece” I decided on that specific slogan because I
have been silent for long enough. I’m ready to speak up about the violence and injustices going
on in this country.

In 1989, my grandmother was apart of a march for women’s rights. She was apart of that
movement. Now in 2020, it’s African Americans Protesting once again for their rights. This
time, I’m apart of that movement.
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I know that I will never fully understand the oppression and suffering that so many have
faced. However, I will always be an ally for those how are seeking justice. Whether it’s women
African Americans, the LGBT community, I will always be an ally for justice in times of need.