BEMIDJI -- Organizers of Project for Change debuted their new social justice group with an event on Labor Day in Paul Bunyan Park.
About 60 people came out in the 50-degree weather for raffle drawings and to hear speakers and live music at the "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally.
The organization’s mission is to act as “a local, nonprofit, non-partisan change group, formed on building awareness, creating social opportunities, and enriching the quality of life for historically marginalized, disadvantaged, oppressed, and resilient Black and Brown communities through policy, accountability and action.”
Minnesota Department of Health gathering guidelines were enforced at the event. Masks were required and provided to those who didn't have one. Hand sanitizer was also available.
Speakers included David Frison, Sierra Charwood, Crystal Gail Welcome, Alyson Allen, Del Shea Perry, Zoe Christenson and more.
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Jeanine Wiley emcees the "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally on Monday in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
A woman in the “knitters for justice” group snaps a photo of the crowd as David Frison speaks during Monday’s "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
A woman holds up a sign in front of the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues during Monday’s "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
"Protest to Policy to Progress" is Project for Change’s slogan, which was displayed on T-shirts during Monday’s rally. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
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A group of BSU student-athletes listen as David Frison speaks during Monday’s "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
A group of BSU student-athletes listen as David Frison speaks during Monday's "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
Crystal Gail Welcome speaks during the "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally on Monday in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
Aldene Morrison, the mother of Tony May who died in the Beltrami County Jail in 2016, holds up the mic while speaking at the "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally on Monday in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
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A duo plays live music at Monday’s "Protest to Policy to Progress" rally in Paul Bunyan Park. (Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)
