SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) — People in Pulaski County organized a Juneteenth event to remember and discuss the racial tensions in Kentucky and across the country. The event was organized by youths in the county.
The crowd had a moment of silence and many chose to kneel.
"Let's take a little time. Eight minutes and forty six seconds. Just to think about what's going on in the world. Say a little prayer if you want to," Event Coordinator Kathy Townsend said.
Eight minutes and 46 seconds is the same amount of time a police officer knelt on George Floyd before he died. The silence was to remember him and other people, like Breonna Taylor, who lost their lives from police brutality. Despite the rain, many people of all different backgrounds came to support the event and its cause.
Attendees included local leaders like U.S. Senate Candidate Amy McGrath, the Mayor, Sheriff and the Police Chief, who spoke about the work being done behind the scenes in the city, like not teaching choke holds.
"We are going to continue to ensure that our officers treat everyone with the same dignity and respect that all human beings deserve," Police Chief William Hunt said.
The message Friday night was to promote unity, while also starting a dialogue on how to improve diversity.
"I'm proud that we can have stuff like this to where we can come together and come to an understanding, there's 2 sides to every story. We've heard that since the beginning of time. But today, it doesn't stop here," Event Speaker Cuse Garth said.
