Unity March continues the message of coming together
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Marchers made their way down Rosa Street toward J.P. Johnson Park on Sunday evening. The Unity March was meant to bring people together and promote unity in the Picayune community. Photo by Cathy Cook.
Photo by Cathy Cook.
Picayune has seen many protests and rallies centered on equality, unity and racism since the summer began, including medical professionals at Highland Community Hospital participating in "White Coats for Black Lives," at the beginning of June.
Healthcare professionals at Highland Community Hospital kneel for nine minutes as part of “White Coats for Black Lives.” The national movement is meant to demonstrate a commitment to improve the health and safety of people of color, who often face disparities in healthcare outcomes. Kneeling for nine minutes is meant to provide a silent moment of reflection on systemic racism and the death of George Floyd. Photo by Cathy Cook.
Black Lives Matters protestors held signs on Goodyear Boulevard Monday, June 30. Protests began in Picayune at the end of May after the death of George Floyd. Photo by Cathy Cook.
Together As One: Rev. Brian Dees speaks to attendees of the Unity Rally held Saturday, June 13, at Jack Read Park in Picayune. The message of the event was one of togetherness. Photo by Jonathan Mitchell.
Protests continued in Picayune Wednesday, June 10. Protestors began handing out free food and water to passersby after some food was donated to them. Photo by Cathy Cook.
Cathy Cook | Picayune Item
Four in a row: A group of protesters line up in front of the post office in Picayune to advocate for equal treatment. Cathy Cook | Picayune Item
All Together: Picayune School District Superintendent Dean Shaw was one of the many community members who gathered at Crosby Commons for the Prayers for Peace event. Photo by Jonathan Mitchell.
Voicing concerns: Motorists passing through Picayune may have seen this gathering of protesters along Highway 11 Monday, June 1. Cathy Cook | Picayune Item
Without violence: Several residents of the Picayune area gathered in front of the post office on Highway 11 Monday, June 1, to peacefully protest instances of police brutality that have occurred in the nation. Cathy Cook | Picayune Item
Calling for equality: Picayune residents hold up signs on Goodyear Boulevard Sunday, May 31, to protest police brutality that led to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota The protestors shouted “Black Lives Matter” to passing cars, many of which honked their approval. Cathy Cook | Picayune Item
Sunday evening community members in Picayune marched from Snyder Park to J.P. Johnson Park shouting call and response chants like “No justice, no peace.”
The Unity March, organized by Yune-ify, was meant to promote equality and bring unity to the community, said organizer Kesslar Porche.
Marchers carried a banner that said Yune-ify with the word love spelled out beneath it in hand symbols. A man with a megaphone led chants. Police vehicles cleared the way in front of marchers and followed behind them.
“It went well,” said Porche. “I think we’re accomplishing our goals. We’re trying to bring more people together in one-ness, spreading love, being there for one another in hard times, spreading positivity, positive knowledge.”
The marchers want to see people of different races and backgrounds come together as one, said Porche.
After marching down Rosa Street, the group shared refreshments at J.P. Johnson Park, where the community members could also register to vote.
Picayune has seen many protests and rallies centered on equality, unity and racism since the summer began. June brought a month of Black Lives Matter protests in front of the post office on Highway 11, sparked by the murder of George Floyd. Medical professionals took a knee for nine minutes on June 5 in front of Highland Community Hospital to honor Floyd and demonstrate their commitment to improving healthcare for people of color. In early June local leaders shared messages of love and hope at a Prayers for Peace event meant to honor victims of police brutality and a Unity Rally was held in Jack Read Park in mid-June to encourage the community to come together.
