GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Protests against racial injustice are not new to Americans.
But those marching for Floyd on Saturday, say this time it’s different.
“If I were to have came out here with some True Religion jeans on or some Jordans on, they’d be like ‘oh, what is he a rapper? A Packer?’ No, I’m a black man. I’m a black man who should be represented in a different way,” said Joseph Ware.
Although sunny and 70, he marched for miles in a suit.
For Ware the march is his chance to address stereotypes.
“I shouldn’t be labeled by the color of my skin. You don’t know me, you shouldn’t judge me. Get to know me first. Get to know somebody. You don’t know, the person who you’re talking about, they could be a blessing in your life.
“You’re getting not only just black voices, POC voices, but also white voices that reside here,” said 17-year-old Indira Hodges.
She was one of the protest organizers, and says the chance at open dialogue on race makes this march different.
“This is a majority white population, there are so many microaggressions embedded in the culture here,” said Hidges. “There’s not a lot of discussion about race period. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with even mentioning it, so I think this opportunity is extremely key.”
Newly elected to Brown County’s Board of Supervisors, Tom Friberg says he wants to be a voice for minorities in the community, starting with local protests.
“I’m only two or three months into the job so I’m still trying to figure out my way about it but I’m just doing what I think is right,” Friberg said.
Regardless of what might make marches for George Floyd different, what protesters want is the same: change.
