Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Rev. Ambrose Douzart said that he is pleased with the way in which a protest march held the weekend of May 30 and 31. Douzart, who is head of the chapter of the NAACP said, " the march which was peaceful, it was in support of the family George Floyd, as they grieve on his death that came at the knee of a white Minneapolis Police Officer that pressed against Floyd's neck, causing his death. Douzart said, t"he march Saturday at city hall had a low turnout, but after discussions among themselves, a decision was made to reconvene Sunday, which turned out to be a good decision. Through "word of mouth", the turnout for Sunday's march went beyond their expectations, because the crowd was so large that the assembly was moved from city hall, across the street to the Monroe Civic Center Complex. The event opened with prayer from two preachers, one white and one black. Before the march began, there were testimonies from individuals both black and white who relived their past experiences from being in the presence of police officers, none were good. Douzart said, "after listening to those white marchers talk about their experiences, he came to the understanding that those white marchers had an realization of what it was that black people had gone through from their encounter with white police officers."

Douzart said that the NAACP is making plans to meet with the mayors of Monroe and West Monroe and law enforcement officials in Ouachita Parish, so they can be made aware of the intricate practices of those police departments to understand the hiring procedures as it relates to such things as physiological evaluations. Douzart said that is important because in addition to more training, the community needs to know how officers are selected. Sensitivity training was a specific reference because he believes that an officer should know the and understand the culture, if different from his/her own, to better know the people that they will come in contact.

Dispatch

NAACP President Ambrose Douzart & Protesters

But Douzart wants the community to know that the NAACP was marching for change because he didn't want to see what happened in Minneapolis, MN, happen in Monroe. Douzart also said that the NAACP does not condone the burning and looting of businesses and other property. He said that anyone who participate in any NAACP sponsored activities is not welcome, and he disavowed their actions. Douzart said, injustice can go on "for a long time", as it can affect everyone from all walks of life. Support was shown from many in the white community. He is hoping that Mayor Mayo's announcement of a second forum on race will be productive. "Change won't be easy", said Douzart, "that is why the NAACP is protesting for change."

Photo Naacp Protest 7- NAACP President Ambrose Douzart & protesters.

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Photo NAACP Protest 3-NAACP Protesters