UPDATE: Black Lives Matter event held outside courthouse; organizer comments

Jun 10, 2020 | 3:19 PM

The organizer of Vernon’s Black Lives Matter rally says it was worth holding, even though the turnout was small.

Black Lives Matter event in Vernon (Rebecca Barton/Vernon Matters Staff)

Ilona Davidson says while 20 people took part in the anti-racism event outside the Vernon courthouse Wednesday, they did get lots of honks of support from passing motorists.

“It would have been awesome if there was 50 or 100 people, but I’m happy that there was even people there,” Davidson told Vernon Matters.

The participants were on hand for more than two hours.

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“There was an older gentleman who came down who spoke to one of the other guys [participants] there. They didn’t have the same views, but they had a conversation, and by the end of it, they were shaking hands. That’s really what we need to do, to have those conversation with people because that’s the only way people are going to change their minds and open their hearts,” said Davidson.

Someone also painted some rocks with saying on them and left them at the courthouse steps, saying ‘Are you OK with what’s going on in the U.S. now’ and #BlackLivesMatter.’

“Those were pretty cool,” commented Davidson.

She says they also got some negative reaction from motorists.

“We had a couple people give us the finger, and say ‘What about white people?,’ but there was definitely a lot more support than negative.'”

Davidson, a 25-year old Vernon resident with Indigenous heritage, plans to take some sort of further action.

“It’s never going to be enough until there is equality for everyone. I’m not sure what my next move is going to be, but I would like to continue fighting for this.”

The messages on signs included `Why is ending racism a debate,’Enough is enough,’ and ‘I am a child of God. Let me breathe.’

Black Lives Matter event in Vernon. (Rebecca Barton/Vernon Matters Staff)

Davidson said she felt compelled to take a stand and hold a local event after George Floyd’s death.

She asked people to come to the peaceful event with open hearts and minds, and to be willing to learn.

by Pete McIntyre

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