About 400 people marched in the city of Romeo to stand in solidarity with George

Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Black Lives Matter. 

Protesters walked side by side chanting in the small northern Macomb County
community, from Croswell Elemetary School to Main Street, ending the protest at
Romeo Village Park. 

As they marched, people walked by Main Street businesses holding up Black Lives
Matter signs and taking videos of the crowd. 

The Romeo March for Racial Justice was planned due to a racial incident in
which someone painted profanity and a racial slur over a Black Lives Matter
message on the community rock. 

"It is clear Romeo has issues even acknowledging the Black Lives Matter
movement," said Amanda Taylor, an event organizer. "Why paint over a rock of
people trying to spread a positive message of support?"

A press release from event organizers stated that Romeo was a stop in the
Underground Railroad 150 years ago, and it has never been known to be an activist
town. 

Friday's crowd ranged from children of stroller-age up to older adults who came out
to stand with the Black community. The crowd included a Romeo school principal,
teachers and community activists. 

Makayla Muxlow, 10, shared her story about being of mixed race while living in
Washington Township, just south of Romeo. Muxlow shed tears when remembering
the forms of racism she experienced growing up, as early as age 3. 

"We are a part of this community and we shouldn't feel different," said Muxlow. "Our
lives should matter like everyone else.

"Not all kids at my school make me feel this way, but the few that do -- I'm going to
stand up for myself and make sure that my voice is heard." 

More: Whitmer lifts restrictions on summer camps, some school sport activities

More: Two rescued from Lake Huron after boat begins to sinks

Community advocate Tristam Craig, 67, was born and raised in Romeo. Craig says
that Romeo has always been a good community and the racial incident doesn't
represent what the city is.
"We're here today having a peaceful protest and marching against this evil virus
that's out here called racism and social injustices," said Craig. "I looked at all the
young people there and they weren't there just to be there, they knew what they were
talking about. They had a passion." 

Event organizers have a list of demands. They want the city to establish racial and
bias training for law enforcement and teachers. They want a diverse civilian review
board with quarterly meetings with law enforcement. Organizers said that police body
cameras should be mandatory and there should be punishment for not using them.

The protest concluded with attendees kneeling for eight minutes and 46 seconds to
honor George Floyd. The organizers have created a George Floyd scholarship which
will be given to a student doing social justice work. 

Muxlow has planned a kid-friendly protest that will take place Saturday at Romeo
Village Park at 4 p.m.