In a display of solidarity, Catasauqua High School students and other community members joined together in a march June 5 from Catasauqua Park and Playground to the borough offices on Bridge Street to support calls for action following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn.

Police Chief Douglas Kish asked Bishop Jim McIver of Revolution Church to join the march for racial equality.

“It is admirable you are here to honor George Floyd and his sacrifice,” McIver told the crowd before the march. “I am not protesting against white people. I love all people — as each of us must,” he said.

The march began with chants of “No justice, no peace” followed by “Black Lives Matter.” McIver and the other participants marched down Bridge Street to the municipal complex, finally settling on the high bluff next to the Bridge Street extension.

The orators mounted the hill and gave their messages. Mikesha Calhoun spoke of her fears.

“I have two black children, and I worry about them constantly. I have a son in North Carolina, who I call every day to make sure he is well,” she said. “I should not have to live under this stress.”

LaVonte Bouie, a member of Catasauqua High School’s Class of 2020, expressed his fears about his personal safety.

Kayleen Bedford, one of the organizers, said she wanted everyone to be treated the same.

McIver talked of his conversion from hate and rebellion in the 1970s to one of understanding.

“All people cannot be treated the same, but all people must be treated with respect,” McIver said.

Six people stood on that bluff across from borough hall. Of those on the hill, five gave the black power salute and one gave the peace sign during John Legend’s recording of “Glory.”

Our country has a long history involving segregation and racial unrest, even after the end of the Civil War and slavery in America.

When former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran for his first term, he reportedly pledged not to take any action against the Ku Klux Klan if he could get the Dixiecrats’ vote.

In World War II, combat units were segregated. All black units fought in combat. Black veterans returned home and were discriminated against. To combat this inherent racism, former President Harry Truman desegregated all military units in 1948.

In the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. stood for the rights of black men. Anyone alive at that time cannot forget the crowds of well-dressed black men, women and children shown on black and white TV listening to those opening lines, “I have a dream today,” followed by King’s call that people be judged by the strength of their character, not the color of their skin.

The crowds asked to be a part of America. Rosa Parks kept her seat on the bus. Former Alabama Gov. George Wallace called in attack dogs against black children exercising their rights to go to school, and the KKK burned a cross on King’s lawn.

Former President Lyndon Johnson reportedly broke up family bonds among black families and tore down black neighborhoods under the guise of urban renewal.

Once the black community gained the right to vote, Jim Crow laws were reportedly implemented to control the votes.

Former President Ronald Reagan worked to reduce restrictions and was backed by a host of supporting players.

Former President Barack Obama also worked to end racism.

This country was founded on the rights of individuals with little tolerance from an oppressive government, and Americans all across the country are speaking out and making it clear they will no longer tolerate racial injustice.