La Crosse rally needs to remain peaceful

Let’s show them how it’s done La Crosse. Another rally is planned tonight in La Crosse over the death of George Floyd and racial injustice overall. We have seen in too many cities what started out as peaceful protests devolve into violence and vandalism. Cities much farther from Minneapolis than La Crosse have seen their buildings burned, their windows smashed, their inventories robbed. We have also seen videos of police tear-gassing or even attacking what appear to be peaceful protesters. It has been an ugly scene. And frankly it is detracting from the much-needed discussions about race and how police should interact with suspected criminals. Things have reached the tipping point, it seems. Tonight’s rally in Riverside Park, which will feature remarks from the Mayor, seeks to address that. And we have every confidence that what plays out tonight in the park and the following march to City Hall will be nothing like we have seen in other cities. Despite heightened emotions, it is possible to have an actual conversation about these delicate topics, and what can be done to make things better for race relatins, and police relations with the communities they serve. La Crosse police pledge they will work to ensure safety at tonight’s event. It is up to those attending to pledge to do the same.