(Editor's note: It has come to our attention that a person on the opposite side of the street of the protest said "white lives matter." The Times Virginian can confirm that while protesters were chanting "black lives matter," one man said "white lives matter" at least once.)

Appomattox County, where the American Civil War effectively came an end when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, was today the site of a Black Lives Matter protest where dozens of people showed up to call for racial equality, as many others have around the nation, after video surfaced several weeks ago of a white Minneapolis, Minn. police officer, Derek Chauvin, holding his knee on the neck of George Floyd, a black man who was under arrest. Floyd died as a result of the incident.

Protest organizers Tyresha McCoy and Shronda Mosley instructed the people in support of their cause to remain peaceful. There were no incidents of violence or racial tension during the event. People of both the black and white race stood together in solidarity.

Protestors gathered at the entrance to the historic Appomattox Courthouse building on Court Street to listen to speeches, and later stood on the sidewalk holding signs. Before the protest wrapped up, most of the protestors joined in a march. They were led by police escort up Court Street, around the block, up Main Street and back to their starting point.

A small group of people stood across the street at the Appomattox County Public School Administration Building parking lot. Several others stood at the veterans memorial in front of the Appomattox Courthouse to ensure no damage was done. Most of them were there on their own accord. One man said he is a member of the Appomattox American Legion.

During the sidewalk protest, the crowd was led in chants of "I can't breathe" and "No justice, no peace," among others.

The protest began shortly after 3 pm. and concluded at around 4:45 p.m.

The Appomattox County Sheriff's Department was present during the entire event.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.

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