About 100 people gathered in Depot Park on Sunday to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, chanting “black lives matter” and “I can’t breathe,” first in front of the historic Railroad House and then on a march through downtown Sanford.
There were no documented incidents of violence, and several people involved with the event could be heard stating that such acts would not be tolerated as part of the protest.
The protest began at noon, and lasted about an hour, although smaller groups continued to march through the streets of downtown after the larger event ended. Sources also indicated that some protesters showed up at the Lee County Courthouse Sunday afternoon, and that the situation remained peaceful there as of 4 p.m.
A Facebook live video documented the courthouse portion of the protest:
Lee County Board of Education member Sherry Womack could be seen at the Depot Park portion of the protest, carrying a “We the People” sign and unsuccessfully attempting to counter the “black lives matter” chant with an “all lives matter” one. Womack’s husband Jim, the chairman of the Lee County Republican Party, could be seen standing in front of the organization’s headquarters on Steele Street, as if to protect it from potential looters.
Below are some scenes from the event. Photos by Gordon Anderson and Jordan Childress Anderson.
Why is Sherry Womack dressed like the bad guy in a spaghetti Western?
I guess the same reason her husband is dressed like Joe Dirts dad
Who, in their right mind, would want to take anything from Republican headquarters??
Listen peeps, no party bs…. it’s about united front !
Unbiased ……. We are better then this
I did in fact walk down and have a short discussion with Sherry Womack and the woman she was talking with (believe her name was Dolly). They were having a very good conversation and what I saw coming out of the both of them was mutual respect. I will also note that the fearless reporter was sitting up in front of Java Express well away from the activities down by the stage. (that could have changed after I left to go back to work). The last comment coming out of Sherry as I was leaving was more of a question, wanted to know if I would stay and pray with them.
Lastly, I do believe she was the only elected official that I saw there in support and yet the Rant tries to trash her presence. Thank you Kimberly Stone for your comment. We in America have a right to protest and what I saw yesterday was an awesome display of that right (including the video which you should watch, much wisdom in it).
You can dress this up anyway you want too, a person there yelling all life matters is there for one reason and it is to create divide. I am a republican and Sherry and Jim are the problem with the party in Lee County. They have kept prominent Republican leaders from running for local government because no one with good sense wants to be associated with them.We have a great Republican Sheriff has anyone noticed he doesn’t attend local Republican meetings. The Rant does not have to trash her, she does a great job on her own.
Okay, the one saying “all lives matter” is creating divide and the ones saying “black lives matter” are creating unity. Do you think before you type?
Yet after her conversation with this person, Sherry deduced that “Black Lives Matter” was simple sloganeering and our peaceful protests accomplished absolutely nothing. Sherry felt that we “should be grateful” that she showed up (even if it was to be a lookie-lou).
Yes Bill I do, maybe you have had your head in the sand for the last few days but it has been a black man killed by the police for no reason. It takes a complete moron not to realize that black men are being killed by police and vigilante police at an alarming rate. You are not original you are just regurgitating the same bs lines that all the right wing nut jobs do. You are no better for the country than the left wing extremist are.
Well I was there I’m the guy with the blue masonic flag. I just wanted the young passionate kids to be able to express there hurt and pain in the right way. I feared for them because there passion was so strong and raw, and things like thats as we have seen can go so wrong quickly. Im pround of them and the sanford police Department for allowing them to demonstrate there freedom of speech amd not intaginize them in any way to provocate a negative reaction from either side. I inform them that they would be heard but if they resulted to violent action, then the message they so strongly wanted to be heard would be silenced if not disregarded all together.
You were right on. Have recommended the the Rant interview you.
I believe everyone can support peaceful protests. The vandalism and looting is when you lose public backing. Police brutality should not be taken lightly. I do not understand why protesters are not protesting in front of Police Departments and court houses; why target retail establishments?
Eat shit blm.