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Bozeman Rally for Black Lives draws more than 1,000 marchers downtown

Posted at 2:29 PM, Jun 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-01 16:29:21-04

The Montana State University Black Student Union and the Montana Racial Equity Project hosted the Bozeman Rally for Black Lives Sunday afternoon.

The event was one of many happening in solidarity nationwide after 46-year old George Floyd was killed in police custody last week in Minneapolis.

Speakers at the rally addressed concerns for all minorities, including black, indigenous, and other people of color.

After speakers addressed the crowd, the group of more than 1,000 people took to the streets of Downtown Bozeman to march peacefully.

“Our time is now. It’s as simple as that, our time is now. If we don’t stand up for what we are and what we believe in, we’re going to keep getting persecuted. We’re gonna keep getting shot down. We’re gonna keep getting killed. And not just for black, but for anybody,” said Timothy Alvarado, a rally participant.

“Knowing that everyone here is here, is here for the same cause that I’m here for. Whether they’ve got signs, whether they’re white, black whatever, that’s powerful because we’re all here for the same reason.”

Protests and marches took place across the state this weekend including Billings, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula.