News Center Maine covers community gathering to protest George Floyd death, racism
News Center Maine and other area television stations covered a community gathering May 31 to protest the death of George Floyd and racism in the U.S. The event was held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Memorial Plaza at the University of Maine. Floyd died in police custody May 25 in Minneapolis. UMaine professor of philosophy Doug Allen, who is internationally recognized for his lifelong civil rights, peace and social justice scholarship, teaching and activism, co-organized the peaceful protest. He said racism leaves many of his students in fear. “(Today is about) bringing people together, connecting, and motivating them to work really hard to bring about lasting changes,” Allen said. “We’re trying to create a better world, but it’s only possible if we do so.” UMaine student Anna-Patrice Roberts, who also participated in the hour-long protest, noted: “I know we’re sparse, but we are here, and you need to understand our stories and our history, and understand why we feel the way that we feel.”