By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rhonna Woodruff Olgesby never imagined being the organizer of unity march, but she’s is and has planned one for this Saturday. Oglesby said she hopes the community can see there is a way to be seen and heard in a peaceful way that will effect change.

The march grew from a place of emotion for Oglesby, she said, after the shootings of two black men last week in Louisiana and Minnesota, and the shooting of police in Dallas. The negative response and backlash to both made her want to stand up and be heard.

“At this point right here I see everybody as equal, but I don’t feel everybody feels the same. In our community we have no unity. There is no unity. I’ve talked to so many people who have so many positive ideas in the community, but nobody is on the same page. My idea is to unite and be on the same page. There’s so much diversity, it doesn’t make sense because we all have the same agenda,” Oglesby said.

She said the plan is to meet at the Big Lots parking lot at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and East Innes Street at 12:30 p.m. and then walk down Innes Street to Park Sterling Bank, 401 W. Innes St.

There will be a Salisbury Police escort from the store to the bank to ensure the safety of the marchers. An officer will follow in front and back of the marchers and at the intersections as they walk down the street to make sure motorists are stopped.

A bus will drive marchers back to their cars.

Oglesby said she is not concerned about potential violence and expects this to be a positive, peaceful march.

See more in Thursday’s Post.