Gallery photo/Flag pole One protester at the May 31 march hoisted their sign on the flag pole beside of the Watauga County Courthouse. The sign reads, ‘Nobody should be above the law.’
Several drivers on King Street during the march, including this motorcycle, showed their support through signs, honking or chanting along from their vehicles.
A Black Lives Matter demonstration and march organized by black students in Boone begins at the library traffic circle on the Appalachian State campus at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Video by Abby Whitt
BOONE — Hundreds marched in a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Boone May 31, holding signs and chanting to protest racism and injustice in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Boone event is one of many protests that have erupted across the country after a video circulated of Floyd being held on the ground by police officers, with Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes while Floyd repeatedly told officers that he couldn’t breathe, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office. The 46-year-old Floyd, whose underlying health conditions included coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, became unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the office. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
From left, Dray Petree, Jay Edwards, Kyndavee Bichara, Markell Clark and Colbie Lofton lead a Black Lives Matter march in Boone on May 31.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Kyndavee Bichara (left) speaks at the Watauga County Courthouse.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Protesters begin the BLM march.
photo by Abby Whitt
Gallery photo/Flag pole One protester at the May 31 march hoisted their sign on the flag pole beside of the Watauga County Courthouse. The sign reads, ‘Nobody should be above the law.’
Photo by Abby Whitt
Upon the return to the App State Library Circle, protesters took to the parking deck to show their signs and support.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Sarah Hoffert marches with a sign that reads ‘End white silence’ during the May 31 BLM protest in Boone.
Photo by Abby Whitt
An App State Police Officer distributes water to protesters before the march begins.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Protesters meet at the App State Library Circle to march down King Street to the Watauga County Courthouse.
Photo by Abby Whitt
A group of protesters met at Boone Mall on May 31 to talk and then travel to the App State Library Circle together.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Interim Andy Le Beau talks to Kyndavee Bichara before the march begins on May 31.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Bailey Witherspoon and Rachel Weaver participate in the BLM march.
Photo by Abby Whitt
Several drivers on King Street during the march, including this motorcycle, showed their support through signs, honking or chanting along from their vehicles.
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Yeah, the irony of "sickofstupid" posting something so stupid hasn't been lost on us. That they are surprised so many people of color live in Boone (and yes, just about everyone there was a resident) suggests they really need to get out a little more (well, a lot more really - but wear a mask, OK?).
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Thanks to modern technologies, you and more people are reading the Watauga Democrat than ever before. Freedom of the press is essential to preserving democracy: But a free press isn't free. It takes significant resources for Mountain Times Publications' 8 full-time journalists and editors to provide credible, fact-based and ethical journalism in the High Country. So, we are asking you to join our advertisers and print subscribers in supporting local journalism with your dollar. Your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
Your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
(3) comments
This isn't a local community rally. Why? Where did all these people come from?
Dude...what? The heck you goin' on about?
Yeah, the irony of "sickofstupid" posting something so stupid hasn't been lost on us. That they are surprised so many people of color live in Boone (and yes, just about everyone there was a resident) suggests they really need to get out a little more (well, a lot more really - but wear a mask, OK?).
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.