Love and unity was the underlying message at Strand Park on Thursday morning among community members of different races, local officials and anyone with a voice to be heard.

Benjamin Russell graduate Christian Carwell organized a peaceful protest in support of George Floyd, the black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, to stand in solidarity with Floyd’s family and the nationwide issue of racism.

Amy Passaretti is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.