A Bellefontaine Solidarity March in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at T-P Lanes, 300 E. Lake Avenue, concluding at Lewis Ratleff Park, 300 Springhill St.
Several community speakers are planned at the park, where a dinner also will be catered by 2G’s Barbecue.
“Please come and show your support as Bellefontaine pledges to take a step forward in the direction of ending police brutality and systemic racism,” organizers said, noting that this is a peaceful, family-friendly event and children are welcome.
The event follows protests locally in front of the Logan County Courthouse and around the nation following the May 25 death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. Former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin now faces a second-degree murder charge, among other charges.
The march will proceed north along the sidewalks on Main Street to Chillicothe Avenue. At that point, organizers said the group will be able to march in the street to Ratleff Park.
For the dinner at Ratleff Park, reservations are requested in advance via the group’s Facebook page, “Bellefontaine Solidarity March.”
Prior to the march, participants are encouraged to drop off chairs at the park for seating during the meal.
Jubilee Mennonite Church also is providing support for the event.