Demonstrations come to small-town Western North Carolina

Demonstrations come to small-town Western NC BY CORY VAILLANCOURT to protect their community. I have watched S TAFF WRITER every video I can find to watch. The cell

Waynesville. Sylva. Murphy. Canton. phone videos, the body cam videos, the surBryson City. Franklin. veillance videos. I have tried to make sense

Demonstrations associated with the death of how these officers reacted and tried to of George Floyd aren’t solely a big-city phefind some reason for their action, but what I nomenon, nor are they all destructive. Since saw was simply no excuse whatsoever,” June 1, more than a thousand Western North Palmer said. “In my opinion, any officer — Carolina residents have taken part in a series any law enforcement officer in the United of actions in small, rural mountain towns States of America — who has watched these without any of the violence and vandalism videos and continues to defend the actions associated with protests in larger cities. of these officers should resign immediately

“I was actually pleased with the turnout,” and turn their badges in.” said Zach Bach, who with Dylan Davis A similar rally was held in Bryson City on organized the June 1 march in Waynesville. June 8, and drew more than 300 marchers, Bach and Davis, both Haywood County residespite having a population similar to dents, also organized a march in Canton on Murphy’s, about 1,600 people. Organized by June 6. Jeff and Jody Helpman, both pastors at

That march, from Canton Recreation Bryson City’s Grove Church. Jeff is also the Park to town hall, drew around 100 people, director of LoveBryson, the community including Waynesville Alderman Chuck organization that spearheaded the event. Dickson, and Canton Alderwoman Kristina “Rumors were spread that we were bussing Smith. in people from Atlanta, that we were going

“I’m marching with them today as a to do damage to the storefronts here, and member of our community,” said Smith. “I obviously that is not our intent at all. I mean, think it’s really important that rural commuour kids are out there,” Jody said. “Every nities are coming together to say we support time we would maybe hear the negative, we the Black Lives Matter movement too, and tried to spin it back and say, no, this was creto understand that it’s not just big cities that ated for peace. We’re here to unite.” are impacted, it’s smaller communities as The Bryson City event was an all-day well. It’s great to see younger people here affair, with music and prayer from noon organizing events like this.” until six and then a march that snaked its

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers was out of way through downtown. It also took on an town, but said that if he wasn’t, he’d have added significance as it occurred under a attended to listen to the concerns and conhistorical marker commemorating the nearversations taking place in his town of 4,300 by execution of Tsali, a Cherokee Indian who residents. resisted removal in 1838.

“I was thankful but not surprised that Swain County has a substantial Cherokee the protest in Canton was a success, because population (almost 28 percent) that was I know the true character of our town. From well-represented during the event’s proday one, our police department, with the gramming. help of town staff and other local enforceNone of the small-town marches have ment, worked hand-in-hand with the organbeen completely free from blowback — in izers to protect both their constitutional each, at least one heckler addressed rights and the safety of our citizens and marchers, who immediately shouted them businesses,” Smathers said. “This cooperadown. tion set the stage for a peaceful event that After Canton’s march had concluded, raised awareness and conversation.” police arrested 21-year-old Niklaus Cain

A June 4 march in Murphy, organized by Hare, who leveled ethnic slurs at marchers Cherokee County residents TeLor Allen, Jake returning to their cars. Hare was charged Reed and Emily Mills drew at least triple the with being intoxicated and disruptive, resistamount of attendees as the Canton event ing arrest, ethnic intimidation and interferdespite Murphy’s population being less than ing with a peaceful protest. Hare had previone-third of Canton’s. ously been convicted of felony possession of

Organizers and demonstrators alike a schedule 2 illicit substance in McDowell stood in silence for eight minutes and 48 County in 2016 and has had several run-ins seconds — the amount of time Minneapolis with police. police officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee Organizers of the rallies say they feel on a handcuffed George Floyd’s neck. Floyd their voices are being heard, slowly, but later died, and Chauvin has since been fired Smathers thinks it’s still time to listen, and and charged with his murder. to begin the heavy lifting involved with

After Murphy’s long moment of silence, addressing the concerns of demonstrators. Cherokee County Sheriff Derek Palmer “Now, the important thing is to have foladdressed demonstrators with an impaslow-up conversations: ones that are straightsioned speech that appeared to have him forward and ones that are difficult,” choking up, fighting back tears. Smathers said. “If we do, we will find com

“I was sickened to see what happened in mon ground, like we found on Saturday in Minneapolis to George Floyd, by the hands Canton and make our community better for of law enforcement officers that were sworn everyone.”

Canton’s June 6 march (top) concluded peacefully within sight of the town’s iconic paper mill.

Murphy demonstration organizer TeLor Allen (in mask) hugs Cherokee County Sheriff Derek Palmer on June 4. Bryson City’s event (below) took place in the shadow of a monument to a

Cherokee Indian executed by the U.S. in 1838. Cory Vaillancourt photos