CANFIELD, Ohio - At a rally to support Black Lives Matter in Canfield, there was a surprise for the 75 people who attended. Women from the methodist church across the street held up welcoming signs.

"The church has historically sat here on the town green, and we felt that it was really important for us to show up as the church to say black lives matter to the United Methodist because oftentimes the church has not stood up as strongly as it could have. We can't go back and change the past, but we can change the future," said Abby Auman, the district superintendent for the Mahoning Valley District United Methodist Church.

The church members also held signs to welcome the first black female reverend at the Canfield United Methodist Church. Dr. Ivy Smith begins on July first.

The organizer of this protest says city leaders have been welcoming. 

"Canfield is a very predominately white community, so I thought it would be supportive if we stand here peacefully and show our support," Jay Cohen said. 

A group of men who support local police say they also came out to show support and to make sure there was no violence. 

Lee Guterva said, "We saw they were going to have a protest out here, so we decided to come out and see. We just didn't want to see any destruction in our community. When people hurt other people, destroy other people's businesses, set cars on fire that is no longer a protest. That is a crime and people who do that should be arrested. We support their right to peacefully protest."

The organizer plans to hold another peaceful protest in Poland and another one in Canfield this summer.