Change in North Carolina: Powerful Youth Organize a Peaceful Protest

With the world in need of drastic change, especially in the U.S., all 50 states have had protests over the last two weeks demanding justice for Black lives lost to police brutality and awareness of a broken system. These protests have been labeled as riots and violent acts as groups of protesters have taken part in fighting or looting. However, violent acts can be noted from the police as well, from tear-gassing peaceful protestors to shooting homeless people with rubber guns. All we have seen in the news is the violence and destruction—not the positive change coming from the peaceful protests.

On June 5, Apex, N.C. held a peaceful protest lead by Apex youth, the mayor, and the police department. Yes, you read that correct; the police department helped us protest. It was so heartwarming to see people standing over a crowd and preach about racism, white privilege, and police brutality with the police standing with us, listening and learning. A few cops even spoke, declaring they would hold each other accountable and aid the community in its efforts to make change. None of this would have been possible without the tenacious youth who organized the event.

20-year-olds Anthony Barnes Jr. (ABJ) and Morgan Sbraccia were the sole organizers and lead speakers of the protest. ABJ attended Apex High School and now attends Guilford College. Morgan attended Apex Friendship High School and now attends UNC Charlotte and works as a fitness trainer. They successfully made an event that brought the community together and provided a platform for people to speak about their experiences and the change they want to see in the community and beyond. Mike Jones, 24, is a photographer that was present at the protest and caught some amazing images of the powerful speakers, crowds, and signs at the protest. He attended Apex High School, graduated Liberty University in 2018, and now works in creative media for UNC-Chapel Hill Football.

Below is a Q & A from the organizers to highlight their contributions to this successful protest, the change they want to see, and their experiences as people of color.

What negative experiences have you had as a person of color?

ABJ: 1. Being racially profiled by parents. 2. Being stereotyped in school.

Morgan: Always feeling out of place, especially in Apex which is predominantly white. I always felt out of place in school, walking around downtown Apex, at work, on teams, etc. I feel as if I’m walking on eggshells because someone may react negatively towards me due to my skin color.

Mike: I’m profiled a lot just based on what people see visually; a lot of people mistaken me for something I’m not. Just how I present myself makes people think less of what I really am.

Why did you want to have a protest in Apex?

ABJ: We can’t fix a worldwide problem until we start in our own backyard.

Morgan: I wanted to have this protest in Apex because I felt it was important to take action. We have never had a protest in Apex (that I know of) and I thought it was needed in our small town. Black Lives Matter has always been an important movement, but it’s important now more than ever because Black people are being murdered and the murderers are not having consequences. They deserve justice and the killings need to end.

Mike: Apex is home, and I know that this town is one huge community. A lot of people aren’t aware that the law enforcement and the town mesh really well together.

What were your expectations for the protest and how did they get met or were exceeded?

ABJ: To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out better than I could have imagined.

Morgan: I expected about 30 to 50 people to come out and that it would be a small yet moving and peaceful protest. We had around 400 people come out so our expectations were exceeded—a lot.

Mike: I was a little bit nervous at first, being that I went to the protests in Downtown Raleigh the weekend prior and that one got out of control quick. My nervousness came from people who came into Apex from other towns and cities, not knowing that the law enforcement and community are on similar ground. Seeing the police being mixed in with the crowd, conversing and joking around, wasn’t anything new that I haven’t seen happen in Apex numerous times before!

What was an important takeaway from the protest?

ABJ: That Black lives matter and the racially motivated police brutality needs to end.

Morgan: It was important and heartwarming to see how many people in our community stand with us and want to make a difference.

Mike: Listening to the stories of the community and some officers and seeing how easily our community is receptive to working together on both sides of the law. I think the police actually taking into consideration what some of the people were saying made a big difference.

What systemic change do you want to see in the Apex community?

ABJ: I want to see the police build relationships with the youth.

Morgan: I would like to see the police do more things with the community. Many people speak highly of the Apex police, but I cannot because I have not seen it.

Mike: I would like the police to create a safer space when it comes to being pulled over. Even though the police here are pretty good people, that doesn’t take away the fact that I still get uneasy when they’re around, let alone being pulled over.

What is the most important task for the Black Lives Matter Movement to face head-on?

ABJ: To fight against the racially motivated police brutality that’s going on.

Morgan: Getting justice for those who have been murdered.

Mike: The most important task I feel is to stay consistent. Just trying to stay consistent even when we achieve the things we’re pushing to change because we still have ways to go to end racism and police brutality. I’m proud to say I am Black, and I’m tired of seeing my people die or be mistreated; we can’t rest just yet.

What's a quote that inspires you that ties in with the movement?

ABJ: A quote by Malcolm X: “You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”

Morgan: “To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it.” - MLK. I find this important as many have stayed quiet in a time where we need their voices the most.

Mike: “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise.” - Maya Angelou. I think that ties into the movement because we are continuing to fight not only for our people that’s still living and are wrongfully treated, but we’re also fighting for the ones we lost due to this madness—our ancestors, every single black person from the first victim of racism to the current day. We as Black people are achieving and excelling so much in life and are nowhere near the ceiling yet. We are entering rooms where we would be outcasted or made as if we didn’t belong. We are in positions that we ‘aren’t supposed to be in.’ We’re making money that ‘doesn’t belong in our hands.’ We’re doing so much and there is a lot of us doing it. There is strength in numbers and this generation I feel will be the change.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

ABJ: I see myself possibly becoming a civil rights lawyer. I have always wanted to become a lawyer but I never knew what kind. I feel that by becoming a civil rights lawyer, I can fight against the racial oppression against African Americans.

Morgan: I will have been out of graduate school for a year, and I will have a steady job. I will always use my voice and power to stand up for what is right. I will still be screaming that Black lives matter now, then, and forever.

Mike: I see myself in a higher up creative position, whether it be within sports, fashion, or music. It relates to the movement because regardless of my setting, I will always try to implement the importance of Black people in those positions where we are not typically welcomed.

Without these strong leaders, the people of Apex would not have stood together and voices would not have been heard. As Mayor Jacques Gilbert said at the protest, “Let’s start the change right here, right here in Apex.” These powerful individuals all have been profiled and have felt left out because of their race. They all want change within the community and empowering relationships between youth and the police. They will not stop speaking out and demanding change in order to have the futures they desire and live in a world that is about compassion for others—not greed and racism. The Apex community did a fantastic job demonstrating what coming together can do and how beautiful it can be, but there is more to be done. If communities come together, listen to one another, and then take action to rebuild systems, change will come.

Follow: @blacklivesmatterapex