Protests supporting Black Lives Matter occurred in both Carbondale and Glenwood Springs over the weekend. KDNK's Raleigh Burleigh spoke with demonstrators about their solidarity.
Drea Marsh maintains the weekly ritual of a silent vigil at Carbondale's 4th Street Plaza in solidarity with Black Lives Matters. With dwindling numbers, this demonstration has reoccurred every Saturday since May 30, first organized by April Spaulding. The latest gathering followed Rifle's Juneteenth march that met with a counter protest organized by Back Our Blue. Speaker Brian Alvarez reflected on the experience as alarming. He also encouraged participaants to maintain the momentum in favor of equal rights for all. Another speaker, Karen Zavala spoke to the power of affecting broad change from within our small communities. When the crowd was invited to share other impressions from Juneteenth, a young woman named Willow Walden stepped forward.
In Glewood Springs on Sunday, another group gathered for a march that was titled "All Black Lives Matter" by organizer Travis Wilson. For Travis as well, Black Lives Matter intersects with fighting prejudice more generally. Recognizing that change will happen incrementally over a long period of time, his message to participants on Sunday was to vote.
