The death of George Floyd in Minnesota nearly two weeks ago is leading to several events in Emporia on Friday.
A prayer vigil has been announced for 12:30 pm outside First Christian Church, 202 East 12th. The service, hosted by the Ministerial Alliance of Lyon County, will also be livestreamed on Facebook. Attendees are asked to wear masks and follow social distance guidelines.
The vigil will begin right after an online meeting on race relations ends. Emporia State’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has organized “Humanity First: a conversation inspired by Mr. George Floyd.” Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Aswad Allen, a guest on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, says Floyd’s death triggered several personal experiences and highlighted certain differences in the feelings of comfort or safety that different ethnic groups have in America.
People wanting to participate need to go online to www.emporia.edu/live to register or submit questions and comments. A Zoom link will then return via email. The meeting starts at 11:30 am.
A protest march is also planned at 1 pm from the Emporia State campus to Emporia Police headquarters.
