Justice in Frostburg
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered as a result of police brutality, a demise all too many black individuals have unfortunately met in this country. Since then, protests against the systemic racism that has blatantly allowed Mr. Floyd’s murder as well as many others across the country have occurred, and Maryland is no exception. Allegany County saw its first protest on May 31, 2020, in Downtown Cumberland. Frostburg began its participation in this widespread fight for justice just two days later, on June 2. At 11 AM, well over 50 Frostburg residents gathered at the corner of Center and Main Streets in the 7/11 parking lot to stand in solidarity with those who have fallen victim to racially motivated police brutality.
The June 2nd protest was organized by Jahlil Scott, a junior at Frostburg State University. Scott emphasized the importance of a peaceful demonstration on the multiple social media platforms that he used to spread the word about the event and has since expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the first peaceful protest in Frostburg in roughly 40 years. Several FSU administration, faculty, and staff members, as well as students and community members were in attendance.
This demonstration was followed by a march that took place on Friday, June 5, starting at the Frostburg Methodist Church and ending on the front lawn of Mountain Ridge High School in the War Memorial Park. The march started off with a prayer from Reverend Kyle Durbin and ended with an 8 minute and 46 second lie-down demonstration to represent the nearly nine minutes of violence that George Floyd was put through at the end of his life. Over 100 people attended this march, including members of local law enforcement who attended in 
solidarity with the cause.
Due to weather concerns, the march on Friday was cut in half. What would have been the second portion of the march was rescheduled for Sunday, June 7. Over 50 community members were in attendance for the march, where they would walk along East College Avenue from Frostburg United Methodist Church to FSU’s Upper Quad. Once settled on campus, the group participated in another 8 minute, 45 second demonstration, followed by an education on what Upper Quad used to be: Brownsville. After several speakers, including two descendants from one of the original families of Brownsville, organizers then facilitated a safe space in which individuals could ask each other of their differing experiences.
Additionally, two candlelight vigils were organized, one virtually through FUMC, and another by a Cumberland community member on Saturday, June 6.
For anyone looking to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, find below a list of petitions and charities to support for the families of victims, bailouts for protestors, and neighborhood restoration:
Text “Floyd” to 55156
The Author
