Much Larger Protest Held in Wenatchee Monday

Demonstrators gathered in the hundreds at Memorial Park in Wenatchee Monday evening to protest against police brutality and racial injustice.

The event followed the death of George Floyd in police custody May 25th. Video of Floyd, who is black, passing away underneath the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer has sparked riots across the country.

Protesters gathered on the eastern steps of the Chelan County Courthouse to hear from multiple speakers from the African-American community before lining both sides of Chelan Avenue from Palouse Street to past Orondo Avenue.

Mental Health Therapist John Steward, who was one of those who spoke to the crowd on the steps of the courthouse, said apathy harms us all.

"Just like in the 1960's, it took white and black America working in unison to be able to bring about true civil rights reform." explained Steward, "We all know that we have more work to do."

A short march past the police station on Mission Street also occurred during the peaceful protest.

"The best ways to go about bringing that change is when you see racial injustice on your job, when you see racial injustice in the community, when you see racial injustice at a sporting event, that you speak out about it," added Steward.

The demonstration follows a similar event Saturday afternoon, also in Memorial Park. Monday's crowd appeared to be two to three times larger than Saturday's protest.