NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTFV) — It's been a week filled with protests in Nashville. On Sunday, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the capitol for a "sit-in" protest against injustice and racial inequality.
A much different scene than what we saw last Saturday. This protest didn't have thousands of people taking over the capitol and there was no march, but these demonstrators say their message was just as powerful.
"They need justice for their lives lost and ones that will continue to be lost and we are trying to eliminate that," Chandler Smith said, a demonstrator.
Unlike the other protests that we have been seeing, this one just stayed at the capitol for the entire nine hours and remained peaceful. Protesters were holding signs, chanting, and pushing for justice.
Edwin Lockridge happened to walk by Sunday's event. He tells me he was moved to tears.
As a teenager in the sixties, Lockridge remembers seeing sit-in protests by his black peers fighting for equality in Nashville.
"There was a lot of controversy back then but there's a change in the air and that means so much," said Lockridge, "the change I feel is overwhelming, anyone experiencing this should feel this way too."
This time the protests feel different to him. He says this time he sees people from all walks of life showing solidarity.
"This is a totally inclusive event," Lockridge said, "that is going to change the direction of America and where we go from here."
This event may have only had two dozen people but organizers say they're happy with the turnout. To them silence is compliance.
"I'm grateful for everyone who came here, donating sandwiches, water , whatever," said Cameron Smith, one of the organizers.
There were no arrests today. In fact, when police drove by many of protesters cheered for them. They said today is not about being anti-police but against police brutality.
