More Than 200 March In Fountain Hills To Support Black Lives Matter
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About 250 people in Fountain Hills marched in support of Black Lives Matter on Thursday. The march, organized by a group called Together We Care, went off as planned.
About a dozen young women originally planned the protest a couple of weeks ago, but social media blowback and threats of counter-protests led to a number of safety concerns.
“Our march was on June 10, and we met a lot of backlash via Facebook, with people saying they would come locked and loaded to our march," said spokeswoman Katherine Harper. "And they were calling other organizers from our group, Together We Care, public enemy number one, and things like that.”
The protesters regrouped and rescheduled. As they gathered at the town’s namesake fountain to begin their march, it was clear that their numbers had grown to more than 200. The mayor spoke, and Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies were on hand.
"I think a lot of people need to realize that just because we're marching doesn't mean we hate our community. I love my community, and that's why I'm marching today," Harper said.
A couple of counter-protesters waved flags and chanted their own slogans, but there were no confrontations.
→ Arizona Voices: Race, Diversity And The Black Lives Matter Movement
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to correct a direct quote from Katherine Harper.
