Thursday Protest In Lakeland To Target Inequality And Inclusion

LAKELAND, FL — A protest that focuses on prayer and bringing the Lakeland community together will take place on Thursday, June 11, in downtown's Munn Park.

The One Heart Community Faith Rally has scheduled pastors from different denominations to speak at the event, as well as Congressman Ross Spano, the city's website said.

The death of Minnesota man, George Floyd has sparked protests nationwide and locally throughout Polk County. Floyd died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Michael Chauvin dug his knee in his neck on May 25 while on duty, and ignored Floyd's cry for help as he told him he couldn't breathe.

Peaceful protests have taken place in areas all over the nation as well as in Lakeland, and protests have also turned violent.

"We had a very successful peaceful protest march on Sunday that brought a very diverse crowd together as a unified voice for change," said Commissioner Phillip Walker. "The One Heart Community Faith Rally will continue on that theme as we address inequality and inclusion going forward.”

Lakeland city manager Tony Delgado posted a video where he discussed solutions to address problems of inequality and racism to the city's Twitter channel.

"We need to get together," Delgado said in the video. "We need to spend the time bridging the gap. We need ot understand other people's point of view. We need to work as a community, as a city and individually to make these things happen. No one, no one diminishes what has happened today in our nation."

The protest is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the event, contact Heather Nance at 863-688-5053.