Rallies urge an end to racism

Speaking to those assembled in the Tri-Star parking lot Sunday in Kilmarnock, Beulah Baptist Church pastor The Rev. Ulysses E. Turner Jr. characterized the racial divide all across the nation as a broken bone that needs healing, or a house on fire that needs to be put out. While all lives matter, “Black Lives Matter!” and that’s where the attention needs to be. Photo by Robert Mason Jr.

by Robert Mason Jr. and Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

KILMARNOCK—While many rallies for justice turned violent and riotous across America over the weekend, some 300 peaceful protesters came together in Kilmarnock Sunday to call for an end to racism and police brutality. They did it through prayer, song and a stand for unity.

In the city of Richmond, Friday and Saturday nights were filled with violence and vandalism, moving many like Carisa Turner-Davis to react with love instead of hate. Turner-Davis organized a prayer in the park unity stand at Kilmarnock Town Centre Park Sunday afternoon. About 75 people, black and white, young and old, attended. For about 45 minutes, prayers and songs flowed.

Turner-Davis encouraged those gathered to… [to-view-more]