West Point community joins in marches for racial justice

Debra Simmons holds up a fist during the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. More than 100 people attended the march. The group started at the West Point Police Department and walked one mile to The Mission on the Hill. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Police Lt. Tara Sloan holds a sign reading “Stand in solidarity” during the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Protesters walk down Cromwell Street during the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. Sherell Drake, one of the women who organized the march, said there is “a need for an open conversation” about racism and inequality both in West Point and across the country. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Lila Miller holds a “Black Lives Matter” sign as the We Are West Point racial justice march walked past her house on Saturday in West Point. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Adam Witte holds up a sign while marching in the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

A crowd sits on bleachers while listening to speakers after the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. The march and program afterwards lasted about two hours. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

The setting sun casts shadows of people sitting on bleachers after the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. March organizers set up fans throughout the parking lot of The Mission on the Hill, where the program after the march took place, in an effort to keep everyone cool. There was also free water provided to marchers. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Thelma McClenton raises her hand in affirmation during the We Are West Point racial justice march on Saturday in West Point. McClenton was agreeing with District Attorney Scott Colom when he said he wanted to change the Mississippi state flag so it no longer has the Confederate flag on it. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff