By Edward Henderson
On Wednesday, July 20th a Solidarity and Peace Demonstration will be held in conjunction with the San Diego Police Department. The community will gather for a joint prayer with SDPD to bridge the gap between the two entities amid the highly publicized violence over the past few weeks. The demonstration will be held at 6:30pm on the SDPD lawn located on 1401 Broadway.
Actress and community advocate Ashli Taylor coordinated the event with SDPD after her own prayer and meditation on how she could help during these troubling times.
“I kept telling my loved ones that I felt like I had to do something,” said Taylor. “My first thought was a protest, but we have enough protests. My second thought was prayer. How awesome would it be for the community and the police department to pray together?”
Taylor did her research on how to start and made a trip to the department for more information. She was able to get in contact with the community resource officer and collaborated with Officer Marlo Woods to share her idea. The two were on the same page and the event got the green light.
“I know the burden of wearing a uniform and having people not like you being that I served in the military and had to go to Afghanistan for deployment,” said Taylor. “I also know the world of being a black woman where people don’t like you because of the color of your skin. One of those you can take off, the other you can’t. I let him know this was something where the SD PD to be a place where people can come and wanting to help.”
One or two people will pray at the event then Officer Woods and the Captain of the department will address the crowd to show their support and solidarity with the efforts of improving community relations.
“All cops aren’t bad, all black people aren’t bad,” said Taylor. “It’s an example that SD can set for others to follow and be that ripple in the ocean that can create a wave of change.”
