Local group “Standing On the Side of Love/Lubbock Cares” took to the sidewalks near the Tim Cole statue near 19th and University, rallying against white supremacy.
Following the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia in August, members said they hoped to spread love with the event “Stand Against Hate.” They originally planned the rally to counter a White Supremacist rally planned for Texas A&M University, but that event was cancelled.
“Do they think that hate helps? Do they actually support white supremacy and if they do… then why?” Spokesperson Francesca Di Poppa asked.
She said her group is nonpartisan and peaceful.
“I don’t want to call it a protest because it is really a rally for love,” Di Poppa said.
Other members said they wanted the event to go on in spite of the cancelled “Unite the Right” rally in College Station, in hopes of spreading their message to those who need it.
“Just to say, there are people who don’t believe that,” Danielle DeLisle said. “To show support for people out there who might be afraid of things like that going on, and show that there is a lot of people like that in Lubbock, making it focused on Lubbock…and saying there are people here in Texas…Lubbock, Texas who believe that everybody has rights and should have equal rights. We don’t believe in hate or white supremacy having a place in America.”
Sara McLarty said she had been standing up against racism for a long time, helping out during desegregation.
“We decided we would do bussing in lubbock to integrate the schools, and so I went to training,” McLarty said, remembering speaking with upset people. “Lubbock has made steady progress I’d say”
John and Ashley Kuehl both served in the military, and said that instinct is what led them to stand up for what they believe is right.
“We were taught in the marines that when we see something going on that isn’t right we should be the ones to say something and we should lead the charge in saying something,” Ashley Kuehl said.
In past protests in Lubbock, protesters have been cited for jaywalking into the street. After those instances and the attack in Charlottesville, “Standing on the Side of Love” said they were thankful Lubbock Police attended and helped keep order.
“They put those barriers in place because there have been precedents of people coming too close for comfort on both sides,” Di Poppa said.
Di Poppa said she just hopes to get people talking on both sides of the street, and of the issues.
“Whether the drivers and their passengers agree or disagree with us, I am hoping there will be conversations.”
