Two peaceful protests were made today in downtown Jefferson; both ending without incident despite rumors again circulating on social media.
The first, organized by the Jefferson Community Center Board and led by Rickey Harrington, marched from the Jefferson Visitor Center to the Marion County Courthouse.
The group opened and closed their march with prayer; calling for peace, understanding, and the community to come together for the common good.
At the end of the march, Harrington asked the crowd of about 100 if they knew what the statue, currently encased in plywood, stood for. Cries of “racism,” “slavery,” and “division” were heard in response.
Harrington, who is also the Marion County Democratic Party Chair, said it was “past time” for the statue to be removed as it gave the wrong impression for those coming to the courthouse. He did not offer a course of action to have it removed.
Harrington then urged attendees to stand up and demand representation in all levels of local government by getting involved by being registered to vote and then voting at the very least.
The second march occurred at 6p and was a church group which marched from Polk and Broadway down to Lafayette Street and then s marched focused on 5e Black Lives Matter movement.
Jefferson Police Chief Jason Carroll worked with organizers of both marches to organize and ensure everyone’s safety.
Rumors
Both marches were blemished by rumors Friday night which circulated on social media stating that a “bus of protestors and Antifa goons [were] coming to Jefferson Texas.” The rumor further claimed a warning had been sent to one of the downtown shops that was being targeted. As a result police security was on alert during the night and for the protest, even though the rumor was determined to have been from a fake account.
Local police and sheriff department officers were on hand, directing traffic and ensuring protestor safety. Both groups had ended their marches within an hour.
Last week another rumor circulated in town about “six busloads” of protestors were coming to town “to burn it to the ground.” That protest rumor ended with no one being in town to march.