On this West Virginia Morning, protests against police brutality and racism continue across West Virginia; we bring you reports from Charleston and Bluefield this weekend. We also bring you a report about an online action group called Black Birder’s Week, and we hear from black faith leaders from across West Virginia who attended a virtual listening session with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin hosted a virtual listening session Friday evening with Reverend Ronald English and other black faith leaders from across West Virginia. Glynis Board has this report from the first of a planned series of discussions called From Hurt to Healing.
A protest in Charleston Sunday calling for an end to police brutality against black people was postponed due to safety concerns. According to organizers, threats were made against the event, which was expected to attract thousands. A small crowd still gathered at the capitol grounds Sunday, for a peaceful protest. We hear from some of those voices.
Also, protestors gathered in Bluefield, Mercer County this weekend, joining hundreds of thousands worldwide who are rallying to oppose police brutality against black people. Protesters say they marched to remember recent black deaths, but also for a local black man, Robert Ellison, who was paralyzed after an encounter with police in the late 1990s. Emily Allen has more.
Many people watched a video taken in Central Park late last month in shock and disgust. A white woman called the police on a black bird watcher, who tried to get her to leash her dog. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant reports, the incident sparked an online action that's bringing joy to many — Black Birder’s Week.
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Photo features protester in Bluefield, W.Va. on Jun. 6, 2020. Credit: Jessica Lilly/WVPB
