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Peaceful protest held in Immokalee

Posted at 10:13 AM, Jun 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-17 10:13:53-04

IMMOKALEE, Fla. — People in Immokalee held a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the organizers, Juanita Martinez, said the idea was to show solidarity with black residents in the community and around the world.

Melda DuPont, who also helped organize the march, said she had three very personal reasons for being a part of the march - her children.

“I do not want them to be treated any differently than anyone else just because of the color of their skin,” she said.

She said she is nervous about her oldest son going away to college next year because she believes that young black men are often not given the benefit of the doubt - particularly in encounters with law enforcement.

“I want him to be able to go to the store or be pulled over without worrying that he may be attacked,” she said.