Peaceful candlelight vigil held in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There have been public gatherings across the country in response to the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, some peaceful, some turning into riots.

On Saturday, May 30, a peaceful candlelight vigil was held at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe to highlight "Black Lives Matter" and to raise awareness of racial injustice.

The local group #IRunWithMaud was created after another black man, Ahmaud Arbery, was shot to death by a man and his son who followed him in their pickup truck, assuming Ahmaud "Maud" was responsible for some break ins.

Dr. Jenifer Norris, Kristi Jouett, and Nick Ward, all from South Lake Tahoe, got together and planned a run that ended in Lakeview Commons. About 30 participated and got the conversation started about what the needs were in the community about racial awareness and education, according to Norris.

Before Floyd's death, the Facebook page #IRunWithMaud was used to share educational materials, documentaries, and books (people can view or join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/547528212627725/).

Then when Floyd was murdered they knew a vigil had to be held for positive interaction between all ages, races, and beliefs in South Lake Tahoe.

Norris said she thought maybe 40 people would show up Saturday but when she went to CVS to get poster-making supplies and the clerk said many other had been doing the same and it was on social media, she had an inkling it would get bigger than planned.

It is estimated over 250 people showed up to participate in the vigil.

"It was a diverse group with different ages and different reasons to be there," said Norris. "It was a nice, peaceful event."

"It was amazing and incredibly sad," said local resident Jen Dawn of the vigil. "Leading up to it was hard. My kids are four and seven and we had an intense education about slavery, racism and the continued effects of racism in structural, systemic and insidious ways in our country. Hearing my small children scream 'I can’t breathe' broke my heart knowing they are growing up and needing to learn the realities of hate and ignorance all while experiencing white privilege. We thought of the families suffering, the black citizens in our country who have to second guess every movement in their lives. The number of people who showed up, the passion, the sadness, all the candles together was powerful and I’m so glad we went."

"It made me happy to see how many people care," said a nearby local businessowner. "The man who was leading the group was great and ended saying 'We don't hate cops, only racist cops and to leave in peace and let's all join together and fight racism'." Brosch said she was glad she attended.

Norris said there will be more peaceful events with open dialog at Lakeview Commons. Another is planned for Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. She said those gathered Saturday were enthusiastic and wanted one nightly. Another group in South Lake Tahoe walked along US50 Sunday evening with signs, and a vigil was planned again Monday.

"It will be positive interaction," said Norris. "We are committed to being peaceful, working on all wearing masks and physical distancing."

To find out more about the groups activities, conversations, and education, join their page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/547528212627725/.