PEORIA, Ill. — Reflecting on a violent weekend in Peoria.
Reverend Marvin Hightower, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) tells WMBD’s Greg and Dan, the focus is no longer getting justice for George Floyd.
“Now we have devolved into lawlessness, trying to cover it by saying we want justice. That is confusing. The message is confusing,” Hightower said.
A peaceful protest was held Saturday afternoon in Peoria.
“I know the events on Saturday that was held, a large event was peaceful. Which the NAACP definitely supports a peaceful protest,” Hightower said.
Less than peaceful events followed the rest of the weekend in Peoria.
The River City saw multiple attacks on businesses such as Walmart, multiple shootings, several incidents of arson, and a reported stabbing.
Such actions have been seen across the country.
“This is a totally separate group, don’t know who these individuals are. But I do know for a fact it’s not the ones that were organizing Saturday’s event,” Hightower said.
Hightower said these events can not take away from the ultimate goal, reconciliation.
“And, we have to do it by speaking truth and love, by understand the spirit that’s operating behind what they’re doing. The spirit of lawlessness,” Hightower said.
Hightower said acting in the spirit of lawlessness is the exact opposite of what needs to be done to address the system.
“Take a good pause and say, okay what can I do to help affect change? It may be something small, it may be something big, but then you have to continue to ask yourself, what can I do in my spirit of influence,” Hightower said.
