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Demonstrators gather again at La Crosse’s Riverside Park

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About 200 to 300 people showed up at Riverside Park in La Crosse on Sunday, for the city’s latest peaceful gathering following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

Several speakers told personal stories of encountering racism in their own lives. 

One speaker was Shirley Fritz, who is African-American, and a Navy veteran. 

Fritz said she used a parking space reserved for veterans, and was told she couldn’t park there. When the man confronting her wanted to see ID to prove that she was a veteran, she said no.

Event organizer Katrina Sletten called on La Crosse and other cities to adopt a ‘Campaign Zero’ plan, aimed at preventing civilians being killed by police officers.    

Sletten was disappointed that La Crosse city leaders waited a few days before responding to a series of questions posed during the previous demonstration last Wednesday.  

Another speaker named Shelby talked about her experiences with racism as a Mexican-American, who once had a gun aimed at her by a policeman in Rochester. 

Shelby said ‘white privilege’ can be a good thing, if white people use their privilege to fight against racism.

After the rally, attended marched through much of downtown La Crosse.

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.

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