Mellow 24 Hour Protest Aims to Engage the Community

Share with Friends

It was billed as a 24-hour Protest for Peace and Justice, and as supporters gathered in the early afternoon Saturday at Santa Rosa’s Doyle Park, it also had the atmosphere of a neighborhood picnic.

A variety of community groups came together to supply food, drinks and other supplies to the scores of attendees who showed up for the start of an event that would stretch through the day, and overnight.

The goal say organizers of the event was to provide a more mellow atmosphere than the recent protest marches, one that focuses on engagement and communication. Organizers told News of the North Bay they hope community building and pressure on a targeted group of two dozen elected officials can begin to bring engagement and change.

The Doyle Park gathering featured a question-and-answer session with Santa Rosa mayor Tom Schwedhelm, who has pledged to reach out to the community about police department reforms.

The event also drew at least four members of the Santa Rosa City Council, on hand to answer questions and engage with the community.

The 24 Hour Protest will include a rally at Julliard Park followed by a candlelight vigil and campout Saturday night at Courthouse Square. The event concludes with a Father’s Day brunch on Sunday morning.