Protesters, militia find common ground in Lisbon

A few hundred people showed up to show support for "Black Lives Matter "and a FedEx driver who says he was spit on and called a racial slur.
However, people who planned on attending the rally were nervous about what might happen when they heard the militia was showing up.
The militia members that did show up were concerned about potential rioting, but instead, both sides found common ground.
Drivers honked horns as people held up signs saying there is no room for racism, silence kills, black lives matter and "if this protest makes you uncomfortable, then you are part of the problem."
Zachary Coker, who was a firefighter and is now in medical school, brought his kids to the protest.
Coker said, "It's important to come out here and support equality in our community. Racism is wrong. Our kids know that it is taught and not something inherent in your genetics. It's taught and passed down generations. My older son and I talk about social events often. I believe it's important to set an example for our kids. There is always a right side and wrong side to history, and I believe kids are our future, and it's important to show them we want to be on the right side of history."
Tiffany Clarkson organized the rally in support of Black Lives Matter and Brandon Brackins, the FedEx worker who posted he was called a racial slur then spit on while on his delivery route in Lisbon.
Clarkson emphasized, "I think it's important to let people know this type of behavior won't be tolerated in our area, and to teach our children hate is not an option. You love everyone."
"Just to see how many people came out here is remarkable. If you're a driver for FedEx your out there yourself doing deliveries. When you're out there by yourself and something like this happens you just have to find a way to vent. Going live was my way to vent. Anybody who knows me knows I don't cry. It was just so disappointing. I was so hurt. When you see me cry you know something really bad happened. Three other times I have been called a racial slur here in Lisbon and I did not say anything but the fourth time was just too much. If you spit on me that's a problem," said Brackins.
Brackins added, "All this support from the community is insane. I don't have words to express my appreciation. I have been getting messages from people across the country and even Fiji and other places around the world. Racism is real. I have seen it more than once. I came out to serve Lisbon and give them the best service I can for FedEx. This was an opportunity for me so I could have a job to make more money to support my family. I just want to do my job the best I can and make it home to my family."
Both groups feared there might be violence due to the other group, but that didn't happen.
The militia says it agrees there is no room for police brutality or racism in the country, but there is no room for rioting against business owners or police officers who have done nothing wrong either.
David Rudder with the Columbiana county Unorganized Militia said, "I came out to support the Black Lives Matter rally. I believe in what they are doing. I came out here to support this group. I support the First Amendment to the Constitution. They have a constitutional right to be here and protest. What I don't support is rioting and looting and when we heard people from out of town were coming here we decided to be here before anything bad happened. The people here know we are not here to harm them. We did not put our full gear on. If we put our gear on they would be intimidated, so what's the point. People should take it to the ballot box. We have hot dogs and hamburgers for people here to enjoy. We have invited them to join us."
Don Vos with the Columbiana County Unorganized Militia said, "We came here to make sure this protest is peaceful the way all rallies should be. We know what has been going on at other rallies around the country and we heard there might be trouble so we came here to make sure there is no trouble. If somebody is going to oppress you we will fight against that, but if you threaten to set something on fire or destroy businesses, it's not going to happen. We have a black militia group with a commander for the group. If the whites and blacks stand together nobody can take us. Dividing people is wrong. If they divide us they can take one group, then take the other that is left. That's why we have to stand united together."