Friday, hundreds of supporters gathered at the Belle Isle bridge located in Downtown Detroit to recreate the Historical March on Selma. A line of police cars trailed down Jefferson Avenue to re-direct traffic from entering the isle. Walking onto the bridge, supporters held various signs exclaiming their beliefs. As they walked, locked arm in arm, protesters sang classic Black hymns “We Shall Overcome”, “Lift Every Voice”, and “Amazing Grace”. In an outpouring of support, while some held signs, others held back their tears, as they pushed through the 90-degree weather to complete the protest holding onto the grief from the past week. “Stay Peaceful” one marcher repeated, as they occasionally stopped for a moment of silence and to give opportunities to the media to capture the moving moments.
Some supporters did not march but stood in solidarity offering free water and snacks to those who completed the journey. As they crossed the bridge returning back to Jefferson, the March organizer Ken Snapp, not affiliated with any organization, stopped for an emotional speech. “I had this dream on Friday, and it came true on Sunday” Snapp said tearfully. “I am so happy right now and I appreciate every one of you.” The crowd applauded as he thanked his team and continuously expressed that he does not want recognition. “ I want everybody in the city of Detroit to lead the conversation Nationwide… Michigan is at the forefront of the conversation and the conversation is Peace and Change, and we will not stand for injustice no longer, racism, or police brutality at any given time.” Snapp asserted. Those marching and in media stood still as he added the necessity of peaceful protesting.
“Forget the looting, forget the killing” he stated. “Become peaceful…. (Detroit) we have a responsibility to make change and if you don’t, you are the opposition.” As the march concluded a supervising police officer embraced Snapp earnestly voicing his support and eventually locking arms in the center of the March until they reached the end of the bridge.
