Our reporters covered Tuesday night’s protest as it happened, and many of our readers weighed in on Facebook during the demonstration.
“Social distancing went out the door.” — Brenda Camargo
“Praying for peace for our city!” — Tammy Langdale
“As long as y’all are peaceful I’m with you. But as soon as you commit a crime….. I’m against you.” — Brenda Boyd Anderson
“If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle in the crosswalk, you know they’re not a local, ’cause we know PC drivers don’t stop behind the crossbar.” — Melissa Harvey
“Ladies and gentlemen, we live in Plant City for a reason, 99% of the people that live here are great! I will take them odds anywhere in the US! The disappointing point is that local businesses boarded up their businesses fearing the worst! Should they have shut down early? Yes to let their employees go demonstrate if they wanted to! So whoever freaked out tonite about the protest, just needs to get out a little more to the city, meaning I worked last Saturday night near university mall in Tampa and when I was getting off the freeway (Alexander about 12:00 am) our streets were quiet, fire department sleeping, gas stations opened Etc. felt great hitting that exit! So point being have faith in Plant City! We are all good people, no matter what race! Don’t let this social media stuff scare you! Yes there will always be that one idiot! But to board up businesses, requesting deputies at the gate of Walden Lake just shows, even though we are a great city, how much more we can grow!” — Joey Tomasina
“Police departments need to have body cameras on every officer. Safety measure for both the officer and citizen. It’s 2020! Chief Duncan let’s get into 2020. It was a grant as well.” — Brad Sparkman
“Well, I was there… And honestly, the people who marched were peaceful. Now, on the other hand, there were the typical morons trying to antagonize the marchers with rebel flags, and exposing weapons. And people wonder where the anger comes from.” — Jon Glass
“This is so so sad and disturbing. I lived thru the riots of the 60s and I was very young then. I now know how my parents felt. Sad.” — Susan Pralle
“So many are posting worried about business and homes which I understand, however were is the worry and concern for the lives that have been taken, the mistreatment of blacks across this nation and in our very city. While you are calling the Mayor in regards to a curfew be sure to ask when will we have a city wide day of prayer (in all communities within our city).” — Tiffanie Jackson