Equality: ‘That’s all I ask for’: More than 100 people take part in march for justice

Published 11:29 pm Saturday, December 20, 2014

They waved signs that asked for peace and justice, held hands to symbolize a united front and chanted now-familiar mantras “Hands-up, Don’t Shoot!” and “We Can’t Breathe!” to express frustration over recent shootings of black teenagers by police officers in cities throughout the U.S.

In Dalton Saturday morning, more than 100 men, women and children came together for a Peaceful Non-Violent March beginning at the Mack Gaston Community Center and culminating with a rally on the Whitfield County Courthouse lawn.

The event was organized by the Concerned Clergy of Greater Whitfield County, with support from the Concerned Citizens of Dalton and the Whitfield County Chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

The message coming from those who attended was loud. And it was clear.

“I know that there are people who are wondering why we are here and why we are doing this — people who have said that Dalton does not have this kind of problem. But, we are not here to advocate violence, or protest our local law enforcement — who we appreciate, respect and honor. We’re here because we do not have the luxury to sit back and ignore certain things that are going on in our country,” said Pastor Stephen A. Thomas of Community Fellowship Church in Dalton. “We have to deal with it, because that could be me, with my hands up. It could be one of my sons. It could be any of us here saying ‘I can’t breathe.’ Although we honor law enforcement, we do not appreciate their behavior in Ferguson, Mo., in Staten Island, N.Y., in Cleveland, Ohio, or in any other parts of the country where wrong has been done.”

Thomas was referring to incidents involving Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner — all black males who have died after encounters this year with their local police.

“Dr. Martin Luther King said ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” Thomas said.

It was appropriate, then, that Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard served as the location for the start of Saturday’s march, which lived up to its “peaceful, non-violent” billing.

The crowd followed a police escort down MLK and over the Waugh Street bridge.

Many marchers sang hymns and recently elected president of the Whitfield County Chapter of the NAACP Antoine Simmons used a bullhorn to lead chants.

When the group reached the courthouse, people sang “God Bless America” and listened to several speakers — most of them community preachers.

“We are not going to tolerate the injustices that have been going on in our nation,” said Pastor Pat Gross of Dalton’s Grace Fellowship Ministries. “We must stand up for justice. Because if we don’t stand for justice, we’ll fall for anything. Today, we stand for all people all over this nation.”

Speakers called for action — for people to unite and make a difference.

“My question for you today is: What now, what next? We have to move beyond today,” Simmons said. “I want to challenge us to get educated about our rights and educate our children. When you see your rights are being violated, speak out. After that, go one step further. Educate our children on how to be productive citizens — to learn from their teachers in school. Education is the way. And I want to encourage everyone to continue the conversation. We have an opportunity to move our country to the next level. Get involved in local civic organizations. Let’s do something. Let’s move.”

Ali Awad, a local citizen, called upon the local government to hire more Latino and black police officers.

“It is a slap on the face to tell me that in a city the size of Dalton you cannot find one black officer!” he said.

Then, “please don’t arrest me after this!,” he said, joking with officers at the courthouse.

Shirley Stidmon, of Dalton, was one of many individuals who took part in Saturday’s walk. She said her reason for doing so was the same as hundreds of people who’ve marched before her.

“It’s important that we get justice, that everyone gets justice,” Stidmon said. “Everyone should be treated equal. That’s all I ask for.”