Stand Against Racism March Took Place Thursday

The fifth Stand Against Racism march took place Thursday starting at the YWCA store and going to Memorial Park.

Wenatchee Valley College Student Body President Lina Mercado says this year's theme is racism as a public health issue.

"It's not where we want it to be obviously. We want to improve and keep improving until it's no longer an issue. That's why we're here today. We want to make that stand and that people in the Wenatchee Valley realize that is an issue even in a small town."

She says education and health care are some of the biggest areas of improvement, but that a majority of North Central Washington is accepting of everyone.

Wenatchee City Council member Mark Kulaas was one of the participants.

"The community has come a long way since when I was in junior high and high school in terms of standing up against racism. We're becoming a more diverse community and understanding that the differences in race, ethnicity, gender don't separate us but are part of the stew of our community."

He also praised the relationship between the community and law enforcement, particularly the school resource officer program as part of the positive steps to opening communication.