Thursday June 4, 2002

PROTESTing FOR PEACE Hundreds protest IN STILLWATER after death of George Floyd.

PIPER REESE/O’COLLY

STILLWATER STRONG

DESTINEE ADAMS/O’COLLY

KELLY KERR THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

OCOLLY.COM

C OV E R S T O RY

G E O R G E F LOY D P R OT E S T S

HUNDREDS GATHER OUTSIDE STILLWATER CITY HALL FOR “WE CAN’t BREATHE PROTEST

Citizens painted signs and gathered in Stillwater’s downtown area to protest against police brutality.

Ryan Novoz ins ky, Editor in chief, @ ryann ovo 6 2

When Stillwater resident Alora Thompson stood in front of a crowded city hall on Wednesday morning, she witnessed something she’d never experienced in her town before.

“It’s so beautiful to see everyone here and see our community really come together like this,” Thompson said at the protest taking place in downtown Stillwater. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never really seen people fight for people that look like me.”

Thompson, an AfricanAmerican woman, was one of the first speakers at the “We Can’t Breathe” protest. Hundreds of people showed up to recognize the killing of THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020

George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis, and to speak out against systemic racism in the United States.

“Growing up here we have a very racist town, but we like to keep the racism here ‘hush hush,’” Thompson said. “For me, to see our community rally together, and we’re addressing the fact that we are not exempt from this just because we have a huge international student and international family presence. There’s racism alive and well here in Stillwater. “(This protest) is something that I’ve never seen.”

Thompson was just one of many who spoke at the event, but all speakers had a similar passion to their message.

“You want to know the first time I was called

American? It was when I was overseas, in another country where my land was more important than the color of my skin,” Oklahoma State University graduate student Uriah Davis said to the crowd.

“You know what I’m called when I’m in this country? A thug, a monster, a villain, a reason.

“You know what i’m called in this country? A thug, a monster, a villain, a reason.”

-Uriah Davis

“I appreciate that y’all are here, but I’m going to be honest, I don’t trust you. I hate to say that. I

really do hate to say that.

I’m an American just like you and I have to say ‘I don’t trust you.’ Because you’re here, praying with me, making Black Lives Matter be an important thing, but where were you when we were still going through this?”

The passion in the speakers’ messages inspired almost everyone at the rally, including Stillwater mayor Will Joyce.

“Thanks to the organizers for putting this together, it’s a great crowd and great event,” Joyce said.

“This is a really healthy exercise of everyone’s rights to gather and to communicate and this is exactly why we have this clause in our constitution and I’m glad we’re able to do it.”

But, as many speakers noted, this inspiration needs to continue on past

OCOLLY.COM

this event.

“Don’t be comfortable putting a black spot on Facebook or posting one post and hoping to get likes because you want to seem cool that you’re with the movement,” Antoine Brown said in his speech. “This movement continues forever. Like I told all my white friends, black people can’t do it alone. We need everybody together in this.”

Similar protests have been taking place across the U.S., including in various cities and towns in Oklahoma.

In Stillwater, hope for reform was a key point noted by some speakers.

“I definitely think that today was a start,” Thompson said. “We’re going to have to continue to have these very uncomfortable conversations where people are called

PIPER REESE/O’COLLY

out for being anti-black, or ignorant behavior. It’s not going to be something easy because this is hundreds and hundreds of years of oppression and built up anger.

“But I do definitely think today was a start because I would never have expected our community to even really support something like this.”

TO DONATE DIRECTLY TO GEORGE FLOYD’s FAMILY, VISIT: gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

COV E R S T ORY

C O LU M N

COLUMN: AMERICA: the plight of a butterfly Marcus TrEvino, Columnist, @MarcustrevinoSA Earlier this year, before the COVID-19 outbreak, I got a tattoo of a butterfly that spans across my chest. It has a special meaning to me as it signifies a major turning point in my life and my own personal metamorphosis.

Sunday night, before my mother went to bed, she called me into the room. She wanted me to wear shirts that didn’t expose my tattoo if I were to go out in public. She was worried a policeman would see me as a gang member.

Initially, I blew her notions off. I’ve never been in any serious trouble with the police. I’ve gotten one speeding ticket my whole life, nothing close to gang activity.

But after thinking about it I realized it wasn’t such a ridiculous assumption. If a police officer, who’s already on edge after days of protests, saw me taking a walk in downtown San Antonio, Texas, he wouldn’t see a law-abiding, American citizen. Nor would he see the special meanings behind the butterfly. He would see a dark-skinned boy with a large tattoo.

I’m almost certain there are no white parents in America who have to worry about their child’s safety because of their tattoos.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

The life cycle of a butterfly represents major change in a person or ideals.

Earlier this week I was having a conversation with a friend, a white woman, who said her parents taught her to find a police officer if she was ever in trouble. I was not taught these same lessons. I was taught to say “yes sir, no sir” and to keep my hands visible at all times if an officer were to approach me.

Only speak when you are spoken to and if something happens, don’t fight back. We can always hire a lawyer after.

I’m not African American so I can only imagine what black mothers and fathers need to tell their kids in order to help their children return home

safely after an encounter with the police. But I do know this, in the 157 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, our black brothers and sisters have implored their white counterparts to listen to them and help them with their problems of police brutality. This shouldn’t have been too much to ask, for the Constitution says equal protection under the law is a right for all Americans. And for the better part of 157 years, there was push back. There wasn’t any concrete evidence of such an issue.

White Americans hadn’t truly witnessed this until 1992 when

video was released of the Rodney King beating.

Then, instead of helping to be a part of the solution, many people dismissed the issue because he must not have complied with the officers and plenty of other excuses to avoid having the tough but necessary conversations. Almost 30 years later and we’ve seen countless videos of police officers abusing their power and killing black Americans without punishment, which has led us to where we are now, nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.

I don’t want to see another video of an inno-

OCOLLY.COM

Flickr

cent, unarmed black man or woman getting killed in the street because of the color of their skin. I don’t want this to be my reality because I choose not to look. I want it to be the reality of each and every black citizen in this country. I refuse to believe this is impossible.

I beg of everyone reading this to take some time out of their day and ask themselves how they can help progress our society forward. There will never be any real change if we don’t all do our part. If we don’t, George Floyd will not be the last and we’ll be exactly where we are now having these same conversations.

The other major reason I wanted a butterfly tattoo was as a representation of my favorite piece of art, Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly. Oddly enough, the overarching theme in this album is racial injustice in America. At the end of the album’s final song, Kendrick recites a poem that describes the plight of a caterpillar. The caterpillar is this spiteful character, unwanted by the world because he eats every plant around him in order to survive. He then builds a cocoon as both a way to protect himself from outsiders who want to eradicate him and a prison as punishment for consuming his surroundings. Finally, the caterpillar breaks free from these walls, having successfully navigated his environment and metamorphosed into something new and beautiful.

The story of the butterfly is a lesson for all of us, especially during this time of heightened racial tensions in America.

Despite all the hard times in the caterpillar’s life, the butterfly is a beacon of hope. As of today, this country is that caterpillar.

We must take action now and build our “cocoons,” whether that be in the ballot box or using our platforms in a way that evokes real change, so that one day we as a nation can evolve into the butterfly we know we can be.

The O’Colly is now publishing a daily newspaper online. To check out our edition online go to www.ocolly. com If you would like to place a display ad please email ads@ocolly.com To place classified advertising email lori@ocolly.com

Horoscope

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’s Birthday (06/04/20). Your collaboration gets lucrative this year. Apply dedication for educational flourishing. Find a new way to collaborate, leading to a lucrative surge. Adapt financial strategies together this summer, leading to an introspective phase that sparks and energizes your romantic partnership this winter.

Join forces.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — What do you want to learn? Lay strong educational foundations and plans. Participate with conferences, classes and forums. Investigate and explore. Follow directions carefully.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Manage shared accounts. A difficult situation is making you stronger. Handle applications and paperwork. Review tax, insurance or legal affairs. Focus on the numbers.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Bring your social skills and graciousness to the fore. Collaborate on a shared venture. Negotiate and adjust for changes. Monitor conditions. Stay forgiving.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Strengthen foundations and add details to your work. Practice and grow stronger. Measure and monitor. Exercise energizes and invigorates. Nurture health and fitness.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Take time to enjoy the people you love.

Keep agreements and promises. Play together and have fun. Let go of worries for a while.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Enjoy domestic arts. Establish order where chaos prevails. Sort, clean and organize. Reinforce basic structures. Make repairs and upgrades to keep systems flowing.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially creative. Focus on basic structures before adding elaborations. Strengthen foundations and build your case carefully. Write and express your views and ideas.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Pursue lucrative options. You’re gaining influence. Make your deadlines and provide solid results. Follow rules carefully. Build on strong foundations. Shake your money maker.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — You’re in the spotlight. Dress up your presentation and smile for the camera. Follow plans and instructions carefully. Provide leadership to get the job done.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — Step back from hustle and bustle.

Withdraw into your private sanctuary. You’re sensitive to noise and chaos; meditation and relaxing activities soothe and center you.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Your friends are there for you.

Reaffirm a commitment and find new ways to collaborate. Community connections lead to an interesting possibility.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Crazy dreams seem possible. Explore a professional opportunity. Get expert advice. Review your portfolio, website or resume. Polish your presentation and prepare for inspection.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

FOR RELEASE JUNE 4, 2020

Level 1

2

3

4

6/4/20

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1 Order to go 7 Settle early 13 Nuts 15 Heat sources 16 Fireplace sound 17 Like some mice 18 Speculation before awards season 20 Part of AMPAS 23 Take by force 24 1975 Wimbledon winner 28 With 28-Across, sad trombone sound effect 29 Labyrinth-building king 30 Friendly exchanges 31 Crushed, as a final 33 __ Plaines: Chicago suburb 34 Fistfuls of dollars 35 “That makes sense now” 38 Equal rival 41 Surrendered 42 American Eagle intimate apparel brand 43 Lima family legumes that yield vanilla 48 Bruins legend 49 Taunting phrase from internet trolls 50 Horned Frogs’ sch.

51 Past pudgy 53 Back again 54 Pacifist’s demand 56 Candidate’s goal 57 Crystal-filled formation 59 Stable parent 60 Type of computer monitor cable 61 High points 62 They’re put to paper 63 Mir launcher: Abbr.

64 Group of associates 65 Part of MIT: Abbr.

DOWN 1 “Doctor Who” network 2 AirPod spot 3 Gasteyer of “Wine Country” 4 Stuffed shells 5 Tattoo artist’s array

6/4/20

By Christopher Adams and Michael Sharp

6 Friction-reducing substance 7 Infield fly rule flies 8 Big name in crackers 9 “Hamilton” role for Tony nominee Phillipa Soo 10 Delt neighbor 11 Hall of Famer Parseghian 12 DKNY competitor 14 Boardwalk location 15 Painter known for “happy little trees” 19 Mysterious letter 20 Not home 21 Kids’ furniture that may have checkered-flag sheets 22 Heart hit song with the lyric “Every second of the night I live another life” 25 “Come On Over” singer 26 Bane of a ketogenic diet, and what three long puzzle answers contain

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

27 She, in Italy 32 __ double take 34 “We __ Soldiers”: 2002 Mel Gibson film 36 “That reminds me ...,” e.g.

37 Mild cheese 39 “The Incredibles” family name 40 Simon of Duran Duran

6/4/20

43 Chinese pork dish 44 Seattle’s former __ Field 45 Data media 46 Quarters 47 Like the best bet 52 Swizzle 55 Old Dodge 57 Break 58 Minneapolis-toMilwaukee dir.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

OCOLLY.COM