Lynchburg Black Lives Matter group hosts Fourth of July community affair

by: Hazelmarie Anderson, WFXRtv.com Digital Desk

Posted: Jul 4, 2020 / 09:26 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 5, 2020 / 01:29 PM EDT

LYNCHBURG, Va (WFXR) — While it felt like a normal Fourth of July cookout — with food on the grill and families spending quality time together — Saturday afternoon’s event in Lynchburg had a special meaning for its attendees.

People gathered at Miller Park in Lynchburg Saturday, July 4 with a purpose in mind.

Christian Glover-Tucker, a member of Black Lives Matter in Lynchburg, said, “July 4, 1776, there were still slaves, so in terms of all men created equal and all men were free, that was not the case. We were considered property. So why would we celebrate a holiday that’s not for us?”

Kathy and Kevin Latham attended their first Black Lives Matter event on Saturday.

“It just seems like the most patriotic thing, maybe, that you could do on the Fourth is really stand up, when you really need to stand up,” said Kathy Latham. “It seems like a good way to do the Fourth.”

Attendees at Saturday’s event had peaceful conversations, all with a purpose for wanting to be heard and treated equally.

“I think if you don’t get out and take part in conversations like this, then you are part of the status quo, and things have to get better,” said Kevin Latham.