Dayton, Ohio – A crowd of about 40 people rallied together at Courthouse Square in Dayton for the Dayton Stands with Jacob Blake rally.
Throughout the afternoon, a group of speakers stood in front of the crowd and talked about the importance of unity and ending racial injustice. It’s something that activist Darryl Bohannon said he’s willing to do.
“I want people that see people like me in the African American community, LGBTQ community being vocal, being out there doing it,” said Bohannon. “We have to see, you have to see people like you out there doing it and that’s the only way you’re going to get things to change my job.”
He said it was important for him to show his support because he was devastated when he found out what happened to Blake.
“I was horrified,” he said. “I was horrified that this day and age, something like that is still happening and it’s happening in real time. And the fact that it’s happening in real time and people are saying that it’s not real. That’s what’s so scary about it.”
Protester Tallas X said what happened to Blake makes him frightened for his son.
“My son is eight years old and I know that he’s the target,” he said. “I’m a target. But I know he’s the future target.”
That is why he is speaking out against racial injustice.
“They’re after me,” said X. “They’re after my son. They’re after anybody that looks like me. So I’m passionate about this because at any given time it could be me or it could be my son.”
The marches and rallies are a way for people to peacefully protest, but Bohannon says more has to be done to put an end to police brutality.
“We have to vote. That is the power that we have, we have so much power, don’t let that hold you back,” he said.
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