RICHMOND, Va. -- More than 1,000 people packed the streets of Richmond in a march for racial equality and police reform Saturday.
"I’m 60 years old and I never saw this coming," said Dwayne Radden, who took part in the 5,000 Man March organized by community members in Richmond.
Dwayne Radden and his wife were among the crowd that marched from Robert E. Lee Monument, down West Broad Street and then back up Monument Aveune towards the controversial tribute to the Confederate general.
"Just to see the colors of diversity, man" Bonnie Radden said "This is awesome. This is what we’re all about.”
#HappeningNow Over a thousand people and growing, gather at the #RobertELee monument in #rva for the 5000 man march @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/pUCQC53sXC
— Matthew Fultz CBS 6 (@matthewfultztv) June 13, 2020
Kathy Deshazo-Jackson called the show of support among the diverse crowd exhilarating.
"It's inspiring because it’s not just about one race,"Deshazo-Jackson said. "It’s about everybody. Every breed, nationality, origin -- it's about all of us.”
Kathy Deshazo-Jackson said she came to take a "stand for justice and equality."
The rally followed more than two weeks of unrest, both in Richmond and nationwide, in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
Four Minneapolis police officers have been charged in connection with Floyd's death. One of the officers was charged with murder after he pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest.
Organizers said that police were not apart of the march or protest, but were only there to control traffic.
Tavares Floyd, who is a cousin of George Floyd, spoke briefly following the march and called for law enforcement to be held accountable.
"I want to say to the police chief, and to law enforcement leaders all around this nation, if you can’t step up and right the wrongs, you are just as much part of the problem as everybody else," Floyd said.
Those marching said new legislation will be key to change.
“Federal level, state level [and] local-level changes for justice for equality," Deshazo-Jackson said.
One man in attendance said he believes others like him also need to step up.
"It’s up to me stand up and other very privileged white men to say, 'enough is enough,'" Frank Cordovano added.
Folks talking part in the march seemed to agree that the nation needs to come together.
“I pray we go in peace. We don’t need the destruction -- in peace," Deshazo-Jackson said.
