Peaceful march and solidarity prayer vigil held in Cameron

Cameron residents met and joined in the nationwide prayer vigil and Poor People Moral Assembly on June 20 at the Milam County courtyard downtown.

The purpose of the event was to publicly acknowledge the need for prayer across the nation against rising tensions of racism, injustice and the healing of the nation from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Lessons learned from civil rights movement that civil discourse starts with prayer and discussion of concern among the people. 

The meeting featured local ministers, Pastor Earl Milton, Pastor Matthew Lopez and Pastor Charles Wyatt, along with Deacon Gerald Goldsby, Brother Ed Wells and Konstance Hardman.

The peaceful marchers followed a route that started at the fountain on Houston Avenue, south to Main Street then east on Fannin Street turning left and marching north on Fannin to 1st Street and left on first back to the fountain on Houston Avenue. 

About 100 marchers walked with distance between them and wearing facial mask and singing in harmony to Donna Johnson lead of a familiar protest song. This event was organized by Yvette Wells and Derick Lewis for the community. 

This was the second march in Cameron.

The first was in the late 1950’s, when students marched for desegregation of the Texan Restaurant, a public place where African-Americans were not given service inside.

Article and photos submitted by Yvette Wells and R.L. Canady