VIDEO: Black Lives Matter Maui Rally Seeks Unity and Peace

More than 150 people participated in a Black Lives Matter Maui Rally this morning at the Hāna Highway, Haleakalā Highway intersection.

The peaceful demonstration, which began at 10 a.m., included a line of individuals holding signs and chanting “I can’t breathe,” as passing motorists honked horns.

The rally comes on the heels of the May 25th death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the ongoing protests that have followed. The officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck during the incident has since been charged with murder according The New York Times.

Messaging on signs at the Maui rally included: “Demand justice for all victims of police violence,” “One Race Human Race,” “Justice for George Floyd,” “Justice for All,” “Black Lives Matter,” “I stand against injustice. I stand for the unheard,” “Murder is worse than rioting,” “It is not enough to be non-racist; we must be anti-racist,” “Know Justice, Know Peace,” “We all bleed the same color,” and “Silence = Violence.”

Participants called the demonstration peaceful, and an opportunity to stand in unity, “regardless of race, ethnicity, age or socioeconomic status.”

On Sunday afternoon, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino released the following statement:

“Peaceful protests are a First Amendment birthright of every American. On Maui, it’s encouraging that protests of Mr. George Floyd’s death have been peaceful. I support our citizens’ right to express their grievances and share information and concerns in pursuit of a better, more just world. We all have the right to agree or disagree, but I ask everyone to do so peacefully, with dignity and respect for each other.

“Joycelyn and I extend our sincere condolences to the Floyd family, and pray that they will find peace and closure when justice is served.”

*Video courtesy: Mia Minkler