Beaufort Protest & March Sunday, June 21

On Sunday, June 21, at 4 p.m., a Protest & March for Justice will be held in the City of Beaufort beginning at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The City of Beaufort supports this march, and City Council requested approval from SCDOT for the closure of several streets on Sunday to accommodate marchers. Mayor Billy Keyserling will be among the speakers at the park.

The City has issued this statement:
“As our country grapples with the issues brought to the forefront by recent protests and demonstrations throughout the United States, including here in Beaufort, we recognize that there is work to be done. We must stand in solidarity with the Black community, with those who protest in peace, and with those looking for change. We must see racism as a public health crisis and a stain on our humanity. It is up to us to forge real change in our own community. Systemic racism is far reaching in our society and goes beyond policing. We are committed to being agents of change within our City to lead to a new future for all.
“We’re proud to support the Protest & March for Justice. We are the ones who stand in the public as leaders; it is up to each of us to make our voices heard, but more importantly to listen, to learn, and to use our voices to amplify the concerns of others.”

The march is being organized by Harold “Mitch” Mitchell, a Beaufort County native, and retired Air Force major general. The march will go from Waterfront Park up Charles to Boundary Street, from Boundary to Carteret Street and down Bay Street back to the park. It will be a silent march, Mitchell said, to commemorate “folks who cannot speak anymore, who have been silenced forever.” Marchers will be asked to wear masks and socially distance, he said, to ensure safety during the continued spread of Covid-19.
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Two months out from the shooting and I am happy to report a good bit of progress towards recovery. My esophagus healed about three weeks ago and I am enjoying food immensely! The trachea is slower to heal but I can now talk with a bright purple gizmo I can attach to the trach. I hope to have the trach removed completely in maybe two to four weeks. In the meantime, being able to talk is a welcome upgrade. My left arm is a longer-term project as nerves heal at glacial speed - maybe a year - but in the meantime, I am able to navigate life, go on long walks, and be mostly pain free.

I’m still staying with my daughter until the trach comes out and being very pampered by her. So it is horrible luck to be shot and, yet, I am feeling immense gratitude and humility for all the love and support from family and friends and especially from Indivisible. I can’t wait to get more actively engaged with all of you in the efforts to bring about change!