Hundreds gather for prayer, peaceful protest in Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - Hundreds of people gathered for a peaceful protest rally in downtown Tuscaloosa Sunday afternoon.

The crowd came together for a march and prayer near the federal courthouse off University Boulevard.

“Black lives matter” was one of several chants that echoed through Tuscaloosa Sunday afternoon during a during a non-violent protest.

“I want to say that again, my prayer is that if they can’t hear me, hopefully they can hear us,” explained Hollis Thomas, the Campus Pastor for Rock City Church.

Three hundred people responded to an announcement about the march on social media. At least that many, if not more, showed up.

“We really want to help facilitate a space for people to grieve the losses that have happened over these past weeks in the Black Community and also to stand in solidarity with people across the country,” according to Nicole Dugat, one of the organizers.

Organizers called the event a positive, powerful, peaceful time to let people’s feelings and voices be heard following George Floyd’s death and what protesters are calling racial injustice.

The crowd marched around the federal courthouse twice during the rally. Organizers believe the violence that happened at other rallies drown out the message that police brutality can not be tolerated.

“Looting, burning down buildings, burning police cars, doing this and that is not the way,” Tony Humprhies, one of the organizers said.

“This is the first of many rallies that could soon happen in West Alabama. Another rally is scheduled for downtown Tuscaloosa Sunday June seventh.

Carrying signs, people marched in unity along the square at the courthouse.

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