A group of less than 20 San Marcans gathered at the Hays County Historic Courthouse June 12 to speak out against social injustice and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The rally was hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos and organized by Erika Klodnicki who started the rally by sharing her opinions regarding the treatment of Black people and immigrants in the U.S. She told the stories of those who have been wrongfully killed based on their race and urged attendees to sign every petition they can.
Texas State student Malina Sutton, who organized a June 10 protest, shared personal stories about her experience protesting in Austin in late May and witnessing police brutality. Her educational speech brought light to subjects like supporting Black-owned businesses, defunding the police and utilizing city officials to make a change.
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Erika Klodnicki picks up signs, megaphones and water bottles as the organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos comes to a close, Friday, June 12, 2020, at the Hays County Historic Courthouse.
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A sign that reads “Black Lives Matter” sits on the lawn of the Hays County Historic Courthouse, Friday, June 12, 2020, at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos.
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Malina Sutton speaks in front of the crowd, Friday, June 12, 2020, outside of the Hays County Historic Courthouse at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos. Sutton shared her personal experience of protesting in Austin where her friend was hit by the police with a ‘rubber’ bullet.
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Nathan Schmitzer speaks in front of rally attendees, Friday, June 12, 2020, outside of the Hays County Historic Courthouse at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos. He shared the story of a man in Dripping Springs who engages in meaningful conversation with strangers in attempt to learn and educate on social injustices.
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Rally attendees sit on the Hays County Historic Courthouse lawn, Friday, June 12, 2020, at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos as speakers address the crowd.
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Erika Klodnicki speaks in front of rally attendees, Friday, June 12, 2020, on the steps of the Hays County Historic Courthouse at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos. Klodnicki shared the stories of those who have been killed and wrongfully imprisoned by the police and urged attendees to sign petitions for justice.
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Rally attendees gather on the lawn of the Hays County Historic Courthouse, Friday, June 12, 2020, at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos.
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Signs with names of those who were wrongfully killed or convicted by the police hang outside of the Hays County Historic Courthouse, Friday, June 12, 2020, at an organized rally hosted by Black Lives Matter San Marcos.
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Signs advocating for Black Lives Matter and against police brutality sit on the steps of the Hays County Historic Courthouse, Friday, June 12, 2020, before a rally organized by Black Lives Matter San Marcos begins.
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