The Chattanooga chapter of the NAACP has announced a new tentative date for its peace walk and prayer vigil to call for the removal of a confederate statue from the front of the Hamilton County Courthouse.
The event is now scheduled for Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m., beginning at the corner of Market Street and M.L. King Boulevard (next to Miller Plaza) and ending at the courthouse on Georgia Avenue. The previous date was changed because of Ironman Chattanooga taking place the same weekend.
“We wanted that competition to go as planned, and we wanted a different date where the city and county police and sheriff’s department wouldn’t be so overwhelmed,” said NAACP Chattanooga President Elenora Woods.
The walk’s purpose has expanded to address several causes in addition to the Confederate statue removal. Woods said they will be calling for education reform, better housing and legislation to protect DACA recipients.
“This is not just for black folks; this is for everybody,” she said. “This is going to be something that we all can be proud of as we walk together, hand-in-hand, black sisters and brothers, white sisters and brothers, Hispanic, Jewish, whatever nationality you come from, we want you to be a part of this event.”