(LaPorte, IN) - Except for a short verbal exchange with supporters of President Trump, a Black Lives Matter demonstration Friday in LaPorte went peacefully.
Upwards of 500 people gathered outside the courthouse then marched up and down on the sidewalk of the U.S 35 overpass with about 70 police officers in the area keeping the peace. “I can’t breathe,” the words uttered by George Floyd with the knee of a Minneapolis Police officer on his neck before he died May 25, were among the phrases chanted to the honking of horns on vehicles passing by.
“All lives matter. That’s a given but really it’s the black lives right now that are really being effected and they’re the ones that need our help,” said Nate Styles of LaPorte.
“It’s time to stop the hatred,” said Cassi Kring of Knox.
Several men in camouflage holding what appeared to be assault rifles quietly made their way through the crowd on several occasions without incident.
More than a dozen people carrying Trump flags and banners showed up first about 11 a.m.
The BLM demonstration across the street began at 4 p.m. but a dozen of them showed up before noon.
About an hour later, some of the BLM protesters walked across Lincolnway to were supporters of the president gathered.
There was taunting along with accusations of racism, but things calmed down not long after police made their presence known.
Jordan Olsen of LaPorte stayed on the Trump side for a while flashing signs reading “All Lives Don’t Matter Until Black and Brown Lives Do Too” and “Justice for George. Justice for Blacks and Justice for Refugees.”
Trump supporters like Spencer England of LaPorte denounced what happened to Floyd.
He also expressed support for peaceful protests along with the efforts of law enforcement and the president to get a handle on the rioting.
Pam Struebing, a Trump supporter and owner of Valley Hills Golf Course in Rolling Prairie, held a sign stating “Now Is The Time to Return to Jesus.”
“I believe we’re having all of this trouble in our land because people have left God. Everything is about money. It’s not about loving your neighbor and helping other people. It’s a disgrace that has to be stopped,” she said.
