SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — During Saturday’s stationary demonstration between 33rd and 41st Streets on Minnesota Avenue, KELO.com News spoke with a young black man, a young white woman, and a middle-aged black man with a wife and three children.
Above are the full interviews with Travan, Annisa, and Kevin. Below are excerpts about why they were at the protest and their live experiences witnessing police misconduct and discrimination.
One common denominator they had, however, was that they were hopeful for peaceful change regarding policing and race relations in the United States and Sioux Falls.
- KEVIN, a black, middle-aged man from Tucson, Arizona, now lives in South Dakota with his wife and three children:
On being arrested in Oregon while moving items from his own home: “But when somebody seen me, they called the police and they said I was breaking in and entering, this is your own house. Yes. And they thought I was burglarizing.”
He said he was beaten up and charged with resisting arrest.
On the future: “Teach your children the right way. And instead of teaching them with racism and one side of history, then they will grow into productive citizens in the life that we need in the United States.”
On the death of George Floyd: “If it never came to light that something like this happened, although it is a tragedy, I just pray that there’s some, some, some type of good that comes out of it.”
- TRAVAN, a young black man from Minneapolis who was leading chants:
On why he came to Sioux Falls for the rally. “We’re trying to have a peaceful protest, trying to make sure it stays on the calm, cool, collected, just same as George Floyd wanted peace. We’re trying to make sure everyone here has peace. We’re trying to make sure black lives matter and the same thing as all lives matter. We try to make sure everyone comes together and be able to have freedom and be able to walk wherever they want to walk.”
On the protest’s turnout: “I’m happy today with the turnout that everybody’s here having a peaceful protest. And unlike the one that bought last time here together (the riot following the rally on May 31), that everybody of all cultures and color are here today having a peaceful protest all here, standing out, and making time to present that all lives matter and that everybody here matters.”
- ANNISA, a young white woman from Sioux Falls:
On why she is protesting: “I just think that we should fight for the black lives that are being lost in the streets at the hands of police brutality. I want to see justice served for all the lives that have been lost and all the cases that still have to seek justice. And I want to see a change.
