MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU-WDLB) Members of the Marshfield Police Department took time last night to meet and talk with members of the community, during a cookout and peaceful rally at Wenzel Family Plaza downtown.
Police Chief Rick Gramza said the idea behind the event came from one of his officers to bring everyone together, to start a dialogue about the recent events sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis last month. “We solve problems better together than apart,” he said. “We aren’t hear as much to talk as we are to listen and learn.”
Echo Means of Marshfield shared some of her concerns with the Chief, along with past experiences with the law enforcement community. “We have a lot of experiences here… we have a lot of negative experiences with police.” Said said law enforcement set up a ‘full sting operation’ because her African-American son had an unpaid speeding ticket.
14-year-olds Emma Normand and Jennifer Espinoza drove in from Athens for last night’s rally, Emma with a sign that read “Black Lives, Deaths, Pain & Tears Matter”. She said, “It’s hard to trust other people and the cops because of everything they’re doing.”
Several hundred people attended last night’s rally, many carrying signs in support of George Floyd. Others were collecting donations for those affected by the rioting and violent protests in Minneapolis. Those in attendance were also served free food donated by several Marshfield businesses.
