Community members gathered in Fortuna’s Rohner Park yesterday to peacefully protest against police brutality and racism.
People gathered on the lawn to listen to the youth of Humboldt County speak about their experiences with racism and what they think needs to be done to make change locally. The demonstration was headed by speeches from Eureka High School students Sophia Chalmers and sisters Amaya and Ayana Watson, as well as Fortuna Mayor Sue Long.
The crowd remained together for about an hour listening to speakers from the community. Fortuna police officers spoke with people before and after the event, but remained at a distance while people spoke.
“My heart is with all those in pain,” Amaya Watson told the crowd, “which is why I encourage everyone here tonight to remain aware and educated of the true intentions of the Black Lives Matter movement.”
Long spoke about a desire to learn from the Black community here in Humboldt, despite some voices in the community expressing doubt about organizing a demonstration in Fortuna.
“There was a lot of angst in planning this event, in stepping up and saying we want to hear what our Black community has to tell us and we want to learn from them, Long said. “We want to learn what it is to walk in their shoes every day because we truly don’t understand.”
Wiyot Tribal Chair Ted Hernandez also attended the event and spoke about the need to listen to the young people in the community.
“You always hear that saying, It takes a village to raise a child,” Hernandez said. “Well, today the children are raising us and teaching us about how to change.”
This article appears in Fear to Anger to Rage.