SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — Members of the Sand Springs community showed support for the Black Lives Matter movement Tuesday evening.
Organizers said it’s important to show their small town has a voice.
“Having a rally here, it shows the city of Tulsa and just the whole state of Oklahoma really, even though Sand Springs is little, there are people that do care about the movement," said Imani Jennings, one of the organizers of the rally.
“Out here in your own community, to know that the people actually do care about your life, you know, even when you are a different skin color from them, you know, it’s a beautiful thing," said Jermaine McClain who attended the rally.
The crowd gathered at Case Community Park for a picnic, heard from multiple speakers and even sang together.
“They need to hear the stories that are being presented to them," McClain said. "They need to hear that there are certain people that are not treated the same as others in this country.”
Police officers on bikes rode around the park and the rally stayed peaceful, an important goal for organizers.
“I think keeping it peaceful, it just eases everyone," Jennings said. "It reminds us why we’re here and when it’s chaotic, you get distracted.”
The rally is also a chance for the community to learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and what they can do to support it.
“All that we ask is black people just to be treated the same," McClain said. "We don’t need to be treated better. Everyone is supposed to be equal and that’s how we feel. Black lives matter.”
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