‘A moment that we can’t miss.’ Former Kentucky players lead rally for racial justice.
Saturday’s early afternoon rally at Lexington’s Woodland Park was reminiscent of a family picnic. A crowd of about 200 gathered under the trees between the tennis courts and Kentucky Avenue. Organizers carried a tub filled with bottles of water on ice to offer people. Those organizers, led by former Kentucky basketball players Ravi Moss and Erik Daniels, also set up a box of snacks for people spread out on blankets or sitting in lawn chairs or relaxing on the grass or standing in the shade.
Larkin Moss, the wife of the former UK player and one of the speakers in the 90-minute event, said the intention was to deliver a message of hope as this country deals with its history of systemic racism.
“We all have our families here and this is what we want to teach our kids — that it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, it doesn’t matter where you came from or how you met someone, it just matters how you treat people and try to understand others,” said Larkin, who wore a shirt adorned with the words “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.”
The family-friendly event carried a message of hope and determination. The speakers included civil rights attorney Noel Caldwell, hip-hop artist and activist Devine Carama and Charles Booker, one of the Democratic candidates vying to run against Mitch McConnell for U.S. Senate this year.
Booker wore a T-shirt that said “No more noknocks,” a reference to Louisville police busting unannounced into the home of Breonna Taylor and shooting and killing her.
“This is a moment that we can’t miss,” Booker said. “That’s my word for you. … When you’re leaving here, you’re not leaving the same.”
He repeated that message of leaving the park determined to bring about change three times, his voice becoming more emphatic as he reemphasized that point.
“Every step you take is for justice,” he said. “I need you to feel that.”
Booker said he has been speaking about “structural racism” as he campaigned in the state.
“I’m seeing folks, even 99-percent white, putting a fist in the air because they know we can’t let this moment pass,” he said. “This fist represents togetherness, unity, feeling, strength, resilience, resolve.”
Many people in the crowd raised a fist.
“We are going to stand and demand justice,” Booker said.
Booker, who represents the 43rd district in Kentucky’s House of Representatives, reminded the crowd that he was running for the Democratic nomination to oppose McConnell in November’s general election.
“Yeah, we’ll beat Mitch McConnell,” he said. The crowd applauded.
More applause followed when Booker added, “We’ve got too much work to do to let him stay there.”
David Dabney, a recent graduate of Miami University, was one of the younger participants. He said he came to call for accountability regarding the police officers who shot and killed Taylor in a no-knock warrant raid in March.
The police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month shook the mother of Daniels.
“As a mother, as I heard George Floyd cry for his mother, I could just imagine Erik calling for me,” Carmen Daniels said. “So, I ask you mothers to teach your kids to love us all. We just want fairness. I want my son to be the best that he can be.”
Some parents said they brought along their kids so they could lead by example.
“My family and I thought it would be nice to at least come out to show our support and let our kids come out and see what this is all about, a chance to be part of a peaceful rally,” UK police officer Ian Thurman said.
Thurman said that as a police officer, he acknowledges that those who represent law enforcement need to work collectively to do better for their communities. He attended the gathering with his wife, Stacy Thurman, and their two kids.
“We tell our kids all the time that black lives matter,” Stacy Thurman said. “And we want them to see that you can’t just sit at home and say that.”
Erik Daniels and Ravi Moss sounded pleased with how the rally unfolded. Moss wore a shirt bearing the message “Be the change.” The shirt worn by his 1-year-old son, Lincoln, said “My life matters.”
“Pretty successful,” Moss said. “Good turnout. No roughness. I think people were able to listen to some good messages.”
At one point, Larkin Moss spoke to the crowd about how to apply online for an absentee ballot.
Saturday’s gathering was originally planned as a march from the University of Kentucky’s Joe Craft Center to Rupp Arena and back, but Larkin Moss said that they were unable to get approval from Lexington police to block off the streets for the occasion.
“They suggested that we do it and walk on the sidewalk and we just didn’t feel comfortable with that with the number of people we were expecting,” she said.
Her son’s involvement with organizing the rally made Carmen Daniels happy.
“I’m just extremely proud of him and Ravi for a job well done,” she said. “But there’s more work to be done.”
