City leaders call for peaceful demonstrations as protests are planned in Johnstown
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — In light of nationwide protests over George Floyd's death, Johnstown city leaders are preparing for demonstrations.
People across the country are looking for ways to make their voices heard by speaking out against the death of George Floyd and others.
In Johnstown, officials warn people if you are going to protest, keep it peaceful and respect others around you.
Moments must be turned into a movement: That’s what city officials and activists joined together to say during a Johnstown community rally Wednesday.
The event was planned in response to a potential protest scheduled for Saturday.
Officials say they are trying to make sure people are heard, without destruction to the city.
“Yes, you do have a right to speak and yes you do have a right to be heard,” said Johnstown Council Member Rev. Sylvia King. “But I do want to let you know, as a council person, we all have been filtering calls of residents, petrified of what’s going to happen.”
Emotions are starting to run high because of an event created on Facebook for a peaceful protest. The event called “Justice 4 George” was created by Johnstown resident, Kirsten Vazquez.
“I am privileged to be a white person, and I will use that privileged to make change,” Vazquez said.
There are close to one thousand people interested in the event on social media. But with the large interest, there have also been threats.
“The black community has been afraid for way too long,” Vazquez said. “And yes, because of the protest Saturday, there have been threats. People threatening to bring guns to a peaceful protest. Just to cause harm to people who want to make change. And I’m not afraid. I will be there on Saturday, event canceled or not I will be there to use my voice. And that is on anyone else who makes the decision to come on Saturday.”
Johnstown Police Chief Robert Johnson says officers will work to keep everyone safe.
“We are coordinating with state and local police to make sure we have an environment that nothing occurs,” Johnson explained. “We are well prepared for this weekend and we are hopeful that if people attend that everyone is very cognitive of each other. There is no need to further create any violence or turmoil. Enough has been done. We need to move forward in a positive fashion.”
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