COURT HOUSE – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held a rally on the steps of the Cape May County Courthouse on Route 9, in Court House, June 5, protesting racial inequality and police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis.
Those gathered listened to speakers from a podium and met in solidarity with police officers and sheriff’s deputies, who maintained a strong but removed presence during the event.
“Today was exactly what I expected it to be,” said Middle Township Mayor Timothy Donohue. “A group of committed, involved people coming here for a very important reason – to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights.”
Donohue spoke against protests earlier in the week, but changed his position after seeing the positive outcome of the first event in Rio Grande June 1.
“What we can’t control is people who come here from wherever who don’t care about our county and our town and just want to cause trouble and destroy, frankly. That’s why Monday night was so important, because those people didn’t come. The people who were there came together. I think we set the tone and an expectation,” Donohue said.
Dottie Knapp and her husband, Malcolm, walked around the event, passing out black bumper stickers with plain white text reading, “Racism is Wrong.”
“If you have it on your car, then the person behind you says, ‘OK, yeah, I’ve got to think about that.’ Racism is wrong. It’s a black and white statement. It’s not political,” said Knapp.
The couple said sometimes people tell them they don’t want to get involved or they don’t put bumper stickers on their car, but, for the most part, people are receptive. They also offer them free to retail stores, and Malcolm Knapp said about three out of four take them.
“Some people, they just don’t want to get involved. They don’t care,” he said, adding he isn’t sure how anyone could see the message as controversial. “We don’t know, but I think they’re scared.”
The NAACP organizers of the protest intend to release a statement; however, it was not received in time for this week’s Herald.
The event had a table offering free water and a sound system, so speakers could be heard by all those who lined Route 9. The protest was contained to the sidewalk, leaving the street open to traffic.
Carolyn Messe, a protestor holding a pizza box with “Black Lives Matter” written in Sharpie, said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring and support of the movement.
“I’m proud of the community,” Messe said. “Again, today showed that we can respectfully and peacefully bring light to these issues, which are so critical for us to confront as a community.”
Donohue said Monday’s peaceful protest eased the concerns of some, but not all.
“There was a lot of noise out there, which I think is ridiculous. People tell me, well, it’s going to be this, it’s going to be that. I say, ‘Why don’t you just come?’ Come and see what it is,” said the mayor.
Police, standing on the outskirts, did not wear any riot gear. After the event’s speakers concluded, many shook hands and hugged protestors and organizers.
“It warms my heart,” said Will Brooks, a protestor. “Now, people need to show that they mean it. It’s time now for change.”
To contact Shay Roddy, email sroddy@cmcherald.com.
