Unity gathering in downtown Huntsville

Unity gathering in downtown Huntsville

You're taking a live look at downtown huntsville.

A calm and peaceful scene now during a time of social unrest.

Just hours ago -- dozens of people gathered in big spring park -- not for a protest -- but for what organizers called a "unity gathering."

This was only 1 of several demonstrations in the downtown area this week.

It was the second at big spring park.

Others were at city hall and the madison county courthouse.

Thank you for joining us tonight -- i'm dan shaffer.

And i'm najahe sherman.

We want to go straight to waay 31's will robinson smith.

He's live in downtown huntsville after talking to speakers and participants about what made this event different from the protests.

The gathering took place here by the platform on the west side of the huntsville museum of art.

Those who met here drove home the message that they want to see constructive dialogue and not have people talk past one another.

Nats "lift every voice and sing" echoed across big spring park... a song commonly recognized as the black national anthem.

Singer tina mathis offered her rendition of the 120-year-old spiritual amid the unity gathering in big spring park.

Shey crockett, pastor, first seventh day adventist church when we're talking about equality, we're talking about love, love for humanity, for our fellow humans.

Pastor shey crockett was one of dozens in the crowd.

He listened along with the others to the song... ...and knelt for nearly nine minutes of silence... marking how long the ex-minneapolis officer had his knee on george floyd's neck before he died.

Members of huntsville police and the madison county sheriff's office were also part of the crowd... listening in the audience.

They say they're ready to help take steps to bring the community together.

Captain dewayne mccarver, huntsville police department for the first time in a long time, the police, our ears are open and we're looking at really making the changes that people want because at the end of the day, we represent this community.

And if some of these things are what really need to be done, we need to do them.

Amid the speeches, the league of women voters was also on hand, giving people the chance to register to vote.

Around 5 o'clock... most of the group then marched together... not past a divisive monument... but instead down a street named for civil rights leader dr. joseph e lowery.

Crockett hopes that the positive conversations today will evolve into positive change moving forward.

Shey crockett, pastor, first seventh day adventist church we've still got a long way to go and the same energy that we've had up to this point, as we continue this marathon, it's going to be a marathon, we've got to keep that same energy moving forward.

After the march, people gathered back here and spent the last half hour of the permit talking among themselves and continuing the dialogue.

Reporting live in huntsville, will robinson-smith, waay 31 news.