People marched through the city of Orlando Friday evening in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Black Lives Matter march Friday in Orlando
- Marchers say all lives are connected, all issues are connected
- Organizers hope march builds community relationships
One of the hosts of the event, Stetia Allen, says she’s the victim of a hate crime, and she filed a report with investigators about the Monday incident.
Signs were put on three vehicles belonging to her family members. They showed a Nazi symbol and the phrase, “N-word lives don't matter.” Tires were also slashed on the cars.
Allen says she may have been targeted because of her activism, but that had no effect on her plans to march and make it a movement toward change.
“We should come together and make it huge. We are Orlando, Florida. We are the number one for tourists, but why are our residents suffering? So it’s time for us to really come together and unite,” she said.
Black Lives Matter formed in 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin.
"A lot of people want to say all lives matter, and no one is saying that all lives don't matter. The problem is that our black brothers and sisters are being targeted unfairly," said march participant and Orlando resident Rachel Gardiner.
Supporters chanted and started their march Friday evening at Lake Eola downtown.
"I want people to learn that all of our lives are connected and that all of our issues are connected," Gardiner said. "And if you believe in social justice for anyone, you should be standing here right now standing up for Black Lives Matter."
Despite receiving the words of hate, seeing the diverse crowd of support kept Allen's spirits high.
“I'm so happy! Everybody gets hugs, everybody gets hugs! So I'm ecstatic,” she said.
Allen hopes marches like this will build relationships by connecting the community with organizers and activists.