Large crowd gathered for protest for justice

More events being organized

Posted

A crowd of more than 100 lined both sides of Sims Way in Port Townsend Wednesday afternoon to rally for social justice and protest against racism.

The demonstration was the latest of a continuing series of demonstrations in Jefferson County and beyond following the killing last week of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Protestors raised cardboard signs to passing traffic, with messages that included "We Are Witnesses," "White Silence = Violence," "Black Lives Matter," "End White Supremacy," and "Educator for Social Justice."

It was a diverse crowd of young and old, with nearly all wearing face masks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those not holding signs were holding infants or flowers, cameras or smartphones.

The demonstrators received a continuous stream of appreciative honks from passing drivers. One driver leaned on his horn from where the line of protesters started near the hardware store to the other end of the line, near the bottom of the hill near the Safeway. A police officer waved as he drove by, and a woman jumped from a car stopped at the traffic light to drop off a case of bottled water for those at the rally.

Solidarity march 

A march from the Port Townsend Police Department to the intersection of Sims Way and Haine’s Place, in front of Safeway, is planned for Friday, June 5. 

The march will begin at 4:30 p.m. in front of the police station located at Mountain View Commons. 

Organizer Rosy Crecca, who is 15, said the march is youth-led, but adults are welcome to attend. 

Crecca also said she spoke with two officers from the Port Townsend Police Department who are aware of the march. 

“The PT police department is totally in favor of Friday’s protest, and want to make it as safe and peaceful as it can be,” Crecca wrote on Facebook.

Solidarity bike ride

Port Townsend resident Taylor Austin announced plans for a solidarity bike ride on Saturday, June 6. 

The bike ride event was spurred by an event that occurred on May 29, when a cyclist in downtown Port Townsend was allegedly verbally assaulted with racial slurs by a driver who reportedly attempted to push the cyclist off the road. 

“This is not acceptable,” Austin wrote in a post on Facebook. “I've been wracking my brain trying to find a peaceful way to address this, engage in the current strife as well as raise awareness and build community in a peaceful manner.”

The bike ride in solidarity will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Don’s Pharmacy on June 6. The event will begin with a nine-minute moment of silence in remembrance of Floyd, Austin said. 

Then, cyclists will ride together through downtown Port Townsend.