Rochester For Justice will host a march at 2 p.m. Sunday in solidarity with the Million Mom March on Washington, D.C.
The group will meet at Silver Lake Boat and Rentals, 800 W. Silver Lake Drive NW, then march to the Peace Plaza.
"On Sunday, we're coming together in peace with families," said Heidi Harty, a march organizer.
"We as Rochester For Justice only support a peaceful protest," she wrote on Facebook. "This one is to pay homage to the mothers who have lost their children. We encourage participants to bring their children and would like to invite those children to be at the front of our march."
Sharon Irwin, grandmother of Tony Robinson, is expected to attend the Rochester march. Robinson, an unarmed 19-year-old biracial man, was fatally shot March 6 by Matt Kenny, a Madison, Wis., police officer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Robinson was shot after Kenny responded to reports of a man who was jumping in front of cars and had attempted to strangle someone. Kenny has said he fired in self-defense; the incident remains under investigation.
Children will be given the opportunity to gather and lead the local march, with the support of designated adults. Members of Rochester For Justice will arrive at the park by 1 p.m. to help create signs. Participants should bring their own poster board or sign materials; markers will be available.
The group encourages "all concerned mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, clergy and other citizens who care about the loss of these valuable lives cut short unnecessarily" to attend.
For every individual killed, there is a mother who has suffered a loss greater than any one person should have to bear, Harty wrote.
"We, the mothers of this movement, are calling on all concerned community members to join us in our fight," she said. "Together we unite to stand against police brutality and racial injustice and to demonstrate our love and determination to protect our children and our country."
