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The Dare Minority Coalition, with support from local law enforcement agencies, is organizing a peaceful demonstration to take place Tuesday, June 9.

Following the death of George Floyd, people from around the country have broken their silence on the subject of racism. George Carver, executive director of DMC, told The Coastland Times that “natural instincts” kicked in. “We know what the problem is. The best way to address it is to have the people of this town and the chief and sheriff on the same side, united,” Carver said.

He noted that although nothing of that nature has happened in Dare County, the best way to approach the situation is to “acknowledge it and acknowledge the problem.”

Carver felt that having the community come together and work on a solution was the best course of action. The demonstration is meant to call upon the issues at hand with the community as a whole.

While the initial approach was to have a few moments of silence for the victims, DMC received a huge response from the community and plans changed. “We can’t stand there in silence . . . certain words need to be said to acknowledge what the problem is,” said Carver.

Carver reported that he is estimating 300 people to come out to Manteo on Tuesday to show their support. The plan is to have everyone socially distance while standing along the sidewalks and area surrounding the College of The Albemarle Dare campus around 5 p.m., for which he received a permit from the Town of Manteo.

Manteo Police Chief Vance Haskett has been working with DMC to plan the event. “We’re there for support,” said Haskett. He reported that several different agencies in Dare County plan on attending, including Sheriff Doug Doughtie and Kill Devil Hills Police Chief Gary Britt.

Doughtie said after speaking with DMC, he “thinks this group is looking to do the right thing to acknowledge what is going on and would like the community to be involved.” He added that he is “looking forward for everything to go out very smoothly.”

Carver said that he had asked Doughtie to speak at the demonstration. “I want Sheriff Doughtie to have a few words and the Chief (Haskett) to have a few words because the whole incident stemmed from police brutality. I want to have them speak on . . . collaborating together as far as preventative measures to avoid those situations.”

Carver said anyone who wishes to help volunteer for the event is invited to contact DMC, either via Facebook or their website. He plans on having volunteers for crowd control, to ensure participants are practicing social distancing. He also plans on having designated areas for the elderly and those that have medical concerns.

DMC has plans to provide a schedule of events for participants, including speaker names and the time at which each will speak. Haskett said he anticipates the event to run until around 6:30 p.m.

For more information on DMC, visit www.dareminoritycoalition.com.

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