‘Even the smallest voices make a difference.’ SLO County protesters share why they march
Thousands of people have turned out at rallies, protest marches and vigils across San Luis Obispo County since June, all to send one unified message: “Black Lives Matter.”
During these protests, we’ve asked demonstrators what the movement means to them and why they are hoping to send a message about anti-racism now.
Here’s what they had to say.
Editor’s note: Some answers have been edited for length or clarity.
“Protesting is one of the most peaceful ways that we could be pushing for certain rights, and for certain laws to be changed, to be changing a lot of the corruption that America was founded on. ... We are all coming together to see systemic change, and we do it with love and compassion. ... This movement has brought so much meaning into my life ... I see this movement hopefully being a ripple effect.” — Michael Giuffre
“I have lived in Arroyo Grande my entire life. Cal Poly SLO is literally down the street from where I work. But when it came time to thinking about where I wanted to continue my education, Cal Poly was never an option because I refused to be a part of a school whose students are so outwardly racist with so few consequences. ... I’ve always supported the Black Lives Matter movement and now it was my turn to give my Black peers my support in the rawest form of showing up and shouting out against these injustices. I’m a white person in America so they don’t need my opinion, just my passion, and I am more than happy to offer it.” — Savannah, Pismo Beach
“Where’s my equality? Where’s my justice? ... We just want to spread the love.” — Jada Ford
“I wanted to make my solidarity as a Latino male heard. I held a sign that stated ‘Tu lucha es mi lucha” Spanish for ‘Your fight is my fight.’ I wanted my brothers and sisters to know that they are not alone, and that they have support from all races/genders etc. Too often minorities isolate themselves from other minority groups. However, we need to understand that if we all stand in solidarity together our voice and demands are much louder.” — Ivan Ortega, San Luis Obispo
“I’m out here to support ending violence at the hands of the police.” — Mike Palmer
“I’ve been to two protests in the past week (June 2020). One in Lompoc and one in Nipomo (my hometown). I went because I’m tired of seeing police officers not being held accountable for their violent actions. I want to see systemic change and have been urging people to push for their local police forces to adopt the #8cantwait policies put forth by http://Useofforceproject.org that have the potential to reduce police violence by up to 72%” — Cory Upham, Nipomo
“I felt like I should be here, but I was scared to be a part of it honestly. I felt like if I was out here it would make things more real ... But I am glad I’m here.” — Brianna Caldwell
“As someone who comes from a town even smaller and less diverse than here — shocking right? — I think it’s vital to show up as someone who supports people of color here in SLO and all over the country. When people see the thousands gathering in this little town, it makes a huge impact. We have sat back far too long and ignored racial injustices it’s time to be actively anti-racist.” — Bridgitte, San Luis Obispo
“I’m here as an ally. I’m here in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.” — Jamie Willheim
“I come from a very Republican family, and I currently live with anti-progressives. I have had to teach myself new ideals, and form my own values. Racism is taught. As someone with white privilege it is important for me to stand behind Black voices. To support them, to be an ally, to educate myself, to have uncomfortable conversations with others when they don’t seem to understand. I’m not from SLO. I didn’t have high hopes for what the turn out would be in a smaller town compared to where I’m from. I cried as I walked side-by-side with the community (in June). To be able to see people of all backgrounds come together to support the Black community was a very beautiful thing. I think people don’t see the value in protests, but look how much change we’ve already achieved by raising our voices all around the country (and the world)! Even the smallest voices make a difference. As I told someone recently I would rather engage myself in protests, stand in solidarity, and shed light on BLM movements, especially with what the media is portraying, rather than to continue to live comfortably.” — Aubrie, San Luis Obispo
“For so long, people have not heard the struggles of Black people.” — Kayla Castile
“Well, first and foremost, I’m out here because Black Lives Matter. I feel like right now, our movement has been really skewed by the police and by the media and we’re out here showing that we’re peaceful, we’re not rioters, we’re not here to destroy stuff. We are here to uplift and support the Black lives in America, in our community and show that we are not going to give up. I feel like we’ve been intimidated by the police recently in the past few weeks, I feel like this is the moment to vocalize our dissatisfaction with the way San Luis Obispo has been run.” — Dimi Hall
“I’m here to listen. As James Baldwin said, nothing can be changed until it is faced. And to recognize my own role in white supremacy.” — Betsy Gomez, San Luis Obispo
“We wanted to show a way of peacefully showing our support. With the riot and the negativity that is happening in 2020 ... We wanted to show support in a positive way.” — Maria Williams, Morro Bay
“This is a problem we could have solved for the past 100 years and we haven’t. ... You can’t solve racism with a protest but you can solve policy.” — Isaac Minarik
“I feel like myself and a lot of other people have let white guilt and discomfort stop them from doing anything. ... I was really looking for a way to center queer people in SLO — especially Black queer people — just because I know they are not a prominent part of this community, and I wanted to have some kind of space where people would feel comfortable speaking.” — Luca MacDougall
Why are you protesting? Let us know
Do you want to share why you are participating in Black Lives Matter protests in San Luis Obispo County?
Fill out the form below and share your thoughts with The Tribune. You can also send a photo of you with your protest sign to reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.
If the form doesn’t load, you can also access it by clicking here.
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