Police, Mayor, Hospital Workers March to Sherman Park
March is markedly different from larger marches that have circled city.
Approximately 100 people gathered Friday afternoon outside Ascension‘s St. Joseph’s Hospital to march to Sherman Park.
Organized by the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. O’Rell Williams and City Attorney Tearman Spencer, the group consisted of Mayor Tom Barrett, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, members and rabbis from the nearby Congregation Beth Jehudah synagogue, community supporters and hospital employees, many of which wore their scrubs.
The short march was one of dozens that have taken place across the Milwaukee area in response to the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and other police-related deaths.
But unlike the larger marches through the city, this march was held solely on the sidewalk and featured no chanting. Instead speeches were held at the start and end, many of which thanked the police officers in attendance for their support and called for action on racial injustice.
Williams and Moore said the police and community needed to find a way to de-escalate the situation and move the community forward.
“We are here because we know there is a severe problem within our community,” said hospital chief administrative officer Kevin Kluesner. “This isn’t just a walk in the park. This is a step in a whole new journey.”
The Milwaukee Fire Department‘s Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services Joshua Parish made those over 40 raise their hands and informed them that they needed to accept things would be uncomfortable, but that younger people would lead the necessary change.
Photos from the March
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More about the 2020 Racial Justice Protests
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- Baldwin Questions U.S. Marshall’s Role in Tosa Protests - Isiah Holmes - Dec 19th, 2020
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- People’s Revolution Marks 200 Days of Protest - Graham Kilmer - Dec 15th, 2020
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Activists on 200th Day of Protests - Sup. Ryan Clancy - Dec 14th, 2020
- The “Molotov Cocktail” That Wasn’t - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- City Hall: Police Chief, Alderman Fight Over Use of Canines - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- Will BLM Movement Sway State Voters? - Bridgit Bowden - Oct 20th, 2020
- City Hall: Community Groups Propose Changes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 19th, 2020
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- November 4, 2019 - Tearman Spencer received $500 from Gwen Moore
- November 3, 2019 - Tearman Spencer received $500 from Gwen Moore
- September 3, 2019 - Tearman Spencer received $500 from Gwen Moore