Black Lives Matter protest encounters counter-protesters in Gettysburg, no violence erupts

Mariana Veloso
Hanover Evening Sun

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in downtown Gettysburg Friday were met with many counter-protesters often wielding weapons shouting things like "All Lives Matter" and "George Floyd was a criminal."

Vandessa Johnson, 48, of Gettysburg, was there in support of Black Lives Matter. She said she felt that the counter-protesters were trying to intimidate people by bringing weapons.

"Why are they armed? There is no reason for this," especially considering that none of the Black Lives Matter protesters had any weapons, Johnson said. "We're here for peace."

Johnson said that the message she is trying to get across at the protest is simple: "All lives can't matter until Black Lives Matter, too."

More:South central Pa. residents discuss racism, Black Lives Matter protests in small towns

Vandessa Johnson, 48, of Gettysburg, took her daughter Mei'lami Johnson, 12, to the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Bob Wall, 64, of Chambersburg, came to the protest with a group he's affiliated with called the Pennsylvania Elite.

He said he came because he heard there was going to be a flag burning and he did not think that was right. Wall said both he and his father served in the military and the American flag deserves respect.

He said he brought his weapons to protect himself in case things got violent like he saw in previous protests on television.

"I mostly want to talk to people," although he said he found that many didn't want to talk to him because he had guns.

"To end this we need to stop saying white, black, or race. We are all American created by God, we're all brothers and sisters ... violence isn't going to help their cause," Wall said.    

More:Photos: Gettysburg on July 4th: Calm on battlefield amid protest rumors

Bob Wall, 64, of Chambersburg, attending the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020, as a counter-protester. He said he brought his weapons to protect himself in case things got violent.

The protests coincidentally took place during Bike Week, which was canceled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. An unofficial Bike Week was organized by regular participants many of which were seen at the protest.

Jade Darling, 48, of Hanover, is a biker who felt she wanted to attend this protest because of all the positive change she saw in Hanover after their protests.

Darling said she spoke to many bikers who originally were afraid of coming to Gettysburg this weekend once they heard about the Black Lives Matter protest in fear that things were going to get violent. But, a live stream between bikers and Matthew Anselmi, who organized the Black Lives Matter protest, seemed to ease some fears. 

More: Check out the live stream between bikers and Matthew Anselmi, who organized the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg

"This protest is amazing because it shows what it's really about," Darling said. "People see bad things online, come expecting violence and here they see it's all peaceful."

Darling said she was motivated to participate in the Black Lives Matter movement once she heard about Ahmaud Arbery's death, she even went to see the site where he was killed in Georgia. 

Jade Darling, 48, of Hanover, is a biker who came to support Black Lives Matter at the protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Vandessa Johnson decided to bring her 12-year-old daughter, Mei'lami Johnson, to the protest. She said she did this to teach her how to use her voice and be proud of her color and heritage. 

"We're not animals. We're humans with feelings and thoughts. We helped build this country ... our blood in on that battlefield ... Give us equality like it states in the U.S. constitution," Johnson said.

Johnson moved to Gettysburg from Baltimore 13 years ago to get her three Black sons away from racist people who wanted to kill them. But they still experience racism in the area. 

She said she just wants people to get to know each other and treat each other with respect. "I am a person, have a conversation with me, learn about me and my life, don't just look at my color."

Johnson believes it's important to talk to people with different points of view. "It's the only way to bring change," she said.

More:Celebration of love and unity marks Juneteenth in Chambersburg

Morgan German, left, attended the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020, with her friend Britany VanBrakle, right. German also brought her 3-year-old daughter Edith to the protest.

Morgan German, 27, now lives in Maryland but used to live in Gettysburg. She too brought her daughter Edith German, 3, to the protest.

"I grew up around people who didn't care about Black lives, equality or injustices ... and I don't want (my daughter) to grow up like that," German said.

When she first saw the people with guns, German thought it would be best to stay back in fear for her and her daughter's safety. But she said with so much police presence and so many protesters willing to de-escalate any arguments, she felt more comfortable participating.

One of her main motivations in attending the protest was the Fourth of July protesters who came to the Gettysburg National Cemetery and other monuments with guns.

Those protesters called themselves "patriots" and said they came in response to rumors that antifa was going to burn flags and deface monuments, none of which actually occurred on the day. They claimed they were there to support the police and protect history.

"Fourth of July really upset me ... especially when Senator (Doug) Mastriano was openly supporting people who clearly don't care about Black injustices," German said. "I'm hoping people can open their eyes at who is running the government, local, state and federal, and who is making the laws."

More:'No justice, no peace': Shippensburg protesters stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Rich Sterner, 65, holds a poster that reads "Skin is not a weapon" at the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Rich Sterner, 65, of Lake Meade, is running against Mastriano for the 33rd District in this election. He was at the protest holding a poster written "Skin in not a weapon." He said this was his sixth Black Lives Matter protest.

"We have to come together as a society," Sterner said. He added that he wished the two groups could talk to each other instead of accusing one another.

Johnson also said that what occurred on July 4 upset her. She felt that the armed group made people feel afraid of going out to celebrate the holiday and honor their ancestors.

"That's not right, us residents of Gettysburg have to stand up against this behavior," she said. Johnson said she also doesn't think that the minister wearing the Black Lives Matter shirt should have been the one escorted after the altercation arose because he wasn't the aggressor. 

More:Don't paint protesters with a broad brush

EJ Wells, of Chambersburg, was counter-protesting the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020. He can be seen in front of his truck which displays symbols associated with a group called the Three Percent.

EJ Wells, of Chambersburg, owns the truck affiliated with the Three Percent group that brought a couple men with guns to counter-protest the Black Lives Matter protest.

He said he believes that "Black Lives Matter" is a racist statement because "all lives matter." Wells said he was also in Gettysburg on July 4 and he saw no trash or violence, unlike what he has seen in Black Lives Matter protests on television.

"People are pointing out something that doesn't need to be pointed out ... This is America, America doesn't see color, we all bleed the same," Wells added.

He said he brought his weapons to support the police.

More:Gettysburg expert: Park Service and 'patriots' failed the community last week (letter)

With the Black Lives Matter protesters, Britney Shelton, 32, was heard yelling, "This is America, we are all Americans."

Shelton said she was saying this to remind people that they have more in common than they may think. She said she wanted to advocate for people to try to get to know each other, understand one another, and educate themselves about others. 

"It's terrible to stand here and listen to people not wanting to understand each other," Shelton said. "None of us are going anywhere so we need to work together to make things better."

Shelton said at the end of the day, it's all about respecting one another.

Britney Shelton, 32, was heard yelling "we are all Americans" at the Black Lives Matter protest in Gettysburg on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Mariana Veloso is the Quality of Life reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Veloso focuses primarily on the opioid epidemic in southcentral PA, along with coverage of everyday issues in the Hanover area. If you have a story idea, you can email her at msveloso@eveningsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @MariVeloso9 to stay up to date with her latest articles.