MCPHERSON -- A peaceful Black Lives Matter gathering is scheduled for Saturday in McPherson.
The event is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the McPherson Police Department.
The gathering is to begin with a march from the roundabout in the 1600 Block of East Euclid Street and proceed west on Euclid Street to the Lakeside Park Bandshell.
City of McPherson Mayor Tom Brown, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden, and other community leaders met with local Black Lives Matter representatives to work together for a peaceful gathering and continued unity in the McPherson community, the news release noted. In addition to the march to Lakeside Park, gathering organizers plan to have guest speakers, observe nine minutes of silence, music, and more.
"The McPherson Police Department has received information about protestors from out of town attending the gathering. While we anticipate the gathering will remain peaceful, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect and serve ALL of our community members and their property. We will deploy additional resources to help meet our commitment. We are providing this information to help keep you informed," the police department explained.
"The McPherson Police Department asks for your help maintaining a peaceful gathering and in keeping our community safe. We ask anyone aware of activity planned or in progress, which would threaten the safety of the McPherson Community to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, in a non-emergency the McPherson Police Department at (620) 245-1266, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (620) 241-1122, toll-free (800) 241-8118, or via the McPherson County Crime Stoppers Facebook page," the police department added.