Evansville protester, 69, hopes 'to see something change'
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Protester Janice King, who has taken part in the recent rallies in Evansville to protest racial injustice, said she will continue protesting for equality and the end of police brutality toward unarmed black men.
"I'm a black woman, and I've felt racism all my life. I'm 69 years old and hoping to see something change before I pass... I just don't want to see black people go away."
King, a regular among the small gathering of protesters who have been assembling near the Pagoda on Evansville's riverfront every day since Saturday's anti-violence protest, grew up in Chicago and has long been a civil rights advocate. Along with protesting during the days of Martin Luther King and other prominent civil rights leaders, she's been a part of numerous local organizations.
Since moving to Evansville 12 years ago, she's participated in a group that aims to empower black men and women to start their own businesses and become more financially literate. She wants to see more black people take ownership of their communities and be agents for change.
That's totally in our hands, it's not in anybody else hands," King said. There's people out here that can make those things possible. Everybody's scared to take a risk, but life's a risk."
King and fellow protestor Julian Washington have participated in every gathering that's taken place since late last week, spurred by the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.
Washington said he's enjoyed seeing protests filled with people from various walks of life.
"It takes time and it's going to take time, but it has to get started at some point," he said. "And that's why I'm so happy. My heart is full of joy in seeing we're actually starting it, instead of just talking about it."
King said having protested with other community members through rain and extreme heat, she's recognized their same commitment to equality and justice for black lives in America.
"Their mindsets are different than their parents, and grandparents," King said. "They got a little resistance.
"They're not just going to lay down and take it the way it is; they're going to do something about it."
As local activists continue organizing peaceful gatherings, Washington said, the next move is to continue galvanizing advocates and educating residents on the movement taking place around the world.
"We got to organize different groups," Washington said. "There's stuff white people got to get through, and they got to understand about themselves and overcome, just as black people do. This is where it starts."
King intends to attend as many protests as she can.
"I think the main thing for us to do is we all deserve to feel good on the inside, and black people haven't felt good on the inside for 400 years or more. It's time."