‘Solidarity for people in pain’: Protesters march through Arlington escorted by police
Tyesha Brown took off from work Tuesday so she could march in the 90-degree heat with hundreds of others in Arlington demanding change.
Because of her job at UPS, Brown, 21, had been unable to join Monday’s protest in Arlington, which ended with some people looting a Walmart and getting arrested. But she followed it on the news — and wanted to come out to send a more positive message of civil unrest.
The protests began across the country last week after a white Minneapolis officer pinned George Floyd, a black man, to the ground by placing his knee on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd, who repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe,” died.
Brown’s goal for the evening appeared to align with that of the larger group, which consisted of more than 100 peaceful protesters who congregated in front of Arlington City Hall, most wearing face masks as protection against the coronavirus. People held up signs bearing messages like “Black Lives Matter” or “ Silence = Betrayal,” and engaged in call-and-response chants. Passing drivers honked.
Brown said she wanted to engage in peaceful protesting but have her voice be heard, even if that means marching until “they kick us out.” She was prepared to stay all night to protest police brutality.
“It has to stop. We need our peace,” she said. “We’re all equal — all lives matter, but not until black lives matter.”
As of around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, protesters had left the Levitt Pavilion across the street from City Hall to march down West Abram Street, spread out on the sidewalk. Arlington police cars could be seen blocking off the street for the protesters, but they were keeping their distance.
About four hours later, protesters were back at Levitt, taking turns speaking from the stage. Some began calling out the assembled media for its portrayal of protesters and about a dozen people surrounded a crew from CBS 11, yelling and following them as they left the area. Several others in the group objected.
Later in the evening, someone threw part of a brick at an officer’s motorcycle near Buffalo Wild Wings, 1301 N. Collins St., said Lt. Christopher Cook, an Arlington police spokesman. Cook said that was the only incident he was aware of in an otherwise peaceful night of protests.
Protesters who spoke with the Star-Telegram earlier in the day said they intended to remain peaceful while making their point and staying into the night once again.
On Monday, protesters marched through downtown Arlington after blocking off Center and Abram streets with barricades and traffic cones. Police said some marchers threw rocks and other items at police vehicles and became verbally aggressive toward officers near Cooper Street and Division Street.
Around 11:30 p.m., Cook reported that a dozen people broke into the Walmart near AT&T Stadium, at 915 E. Randol Mill Road. After leaving the area, police say, a few other people damaged property at the Parks Mall and Arlington Highlands shopping center. In all, six people were arrested for vandalizing or stealing property, according to police.
Mayor Jeff Williams said in an emailed statement Tuesday that city government would not set a curfew for Tuesday evening. “But the violence needs to stop,” Wilson wrote.
“Destruction in our communities puts people’s health and safety at risk and detracts from the important message we all need to be discussing, which is looking at ways we can improve the response by law enforcement in our neighborhoods,” he said.
Cook said protests Tuesday afternoon were not affiliated with Monday’s protests or the vandalism that occurred after. Although he was unsure of the protest route or when the march would end, he said police would monitor the crowd as long as they’re out.
“Everything’s peaceful at this point,” Cook said.
It was unclear which individuals or organizations planned the Tuesday protest. Protesters indicated they had heard about the demonstrations on social media.
Tiffany Lynch, an Arlington resident, said while she didn’t intend to loot businesses, the protests, coupled with the economic and public health threat of COVID-19, presented a “nuanced situation.” Ultimately, she said, people should not let the actions of a few take away from the message of the protests.
“We’re trying to demand attention,” she said. “You can pay attention to our money, but you can’t pay attention to our lives?”
The crowd of hundreds was diverse. Young and old, black and white marched alongside each other.
Kate Robertson, 57, of Dallas attended the protest with her husband and a friend. Robertson said she wanted to come to listen and to say “we can do better.”
She was one of the hundreds marching down Abram Street in the late-afternoon sun.
“That was the best thing I could come up with right now,” she said, “to show solidarity for people in pain to protest a system that’s not working for everybody.”
Ellebye Moss, 38, of Arlington was with her three sons and other family members Tuesday evening when she saw the marchers pass by. She traded her dress shoes for a pair of her son’s sneakers from the car so she could join.
“Who am I, if they’re taking a stand and if I don’t take a stand with them,” she said.
“This is our future,” she said, pointing at her sons. “And we’ve got to protect it.”
Moss proudly introduced her sons, one by one. “This one, black son,” she said. “This one, graduated today, black son, A’s and B’s. Not a criminal, never been locked up. ... Same thing with this one, straight A’s. Smart. Plays football, sports. ...
“That’s the message I want to give out. Every black person is not the same. Just like every police officer is not the same.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 5:47 PM.
