At least 1,000 people took to the streets of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday afternoon to march for racial equality. Gathering across from the Berrien County Courthouse, the mayors of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph stood together and called for an end to systemic racism. Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the status quo must change.
“We’re here because of the word ‘hope,’” Muhammad said. “We’re here because I think we are hoping to see a better society, to see a better America, to see a better St. Joe, to see a better Benton Harbor, to see a better Berrien County.”
Congressman Fred Upton said we racism is real, and “we’re tired of the message, we want action.”
“Black lives matter, yes they do,” Upton said. “Yes they do. No justice, no peace. Let’s march.”
The march took the peaceful crowd through downtown St. Joseph, back to near the courthouse, and then across the bridge to Benton Harbor’s Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park for a candlelight vigil. Police provided an escort for the marchers.
