- April 15, 2024
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Pastor Anthony Hodge gives a rousing speech in front of city hall in downtown Winter Garden.
Several speakers took time to discuss the ongoing racial unrest during their speeches.
Some residents showed up with signs to voice their support for the black community.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina speaks to the crowd during Saturday's event.
Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham takes time to speak to march participants on the issues of the day.
Some residents showed up with signs to voice their support for the black community.
Winter Garden Mayor John Rees speaks during Saturday morning's event.
People of all colors took to city hall in a sign of unity.
Marchers took part in multiple moments of prayer led by local Winter Garden pastors.
Several speakers took time to discuss the ongoing racial unrest during their speeches.
Some residents showed up with signs to voice their support for the black community.
Marchers took part in multiple moments of prayer led by local Winter Garden pastors.
Eric Alsina holds up his Black Lives Matter sign, as he sits quietly and listens to speakers discuss the ongoing racial tensions of the time.
Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham, center, kneels next to Orange County Sheriff John Mina and local pastors and officials during an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Pastor Anthony Hodge kneels in silence behind the main stage.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Jesse Cooper, left, and his son, James, and wife, Crystal, sit in a moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Local pastors, officials and residents take part in an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence.
Winter Garden residents stand hand-in-hand in unity during the demonstration.
Marchers took part in multiple moments of prayer led by local Winter Garden pastors.
Under a sweltering sun Saturday, June 13, Winter Garden residents, pastors and public officials marched from Veteran's Memorial Park to city hall in a sign of unity during the Winter Garden Peace March, which was organized by city leaders and local pastors.
Following the march the 100-plus participants gathered in front of city hall and listened to several speakers — including Winter Garden Mayor John Rees, pastor and activist Anthony Hodge and Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham — as they discussed issues of police violence against minorities and inequality.
The peaceful event was capped off with a solemn moment when everyone fell silent as they went down on one knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds — a symbolic reference to the amount of time former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin spent kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who would die from the injuries he sustained during that encounter.
