“Let them know we got a new phrase. Can’t stop. Won’t stop,” OneFargo organizer Wess Philome said before a crowd of more than 300 people on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Aware of “Boogwatch,” a reference to the far-right Boogaloo movement that wants racial war, and the deadly violence in Kenosha, Wisc., protesters spoke against local threats and online hatred directed toward them. The march started at 10 a.m. at Island Park — nicknamed “Justice Island” by OneFargo organizers. After handing out flags that were flown above an interstate bridge before Cass County Sheriff's deputies ordered them down, protesters circled through downtown Fargo, ending about three hours later.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribal member Henry Gipp leads protesters through downtown Fargo on Saturday, Aug. 29. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
During a time when people of all ages across North Dakota are falling ill to COVID-19, nearly all protesters wore face masks.
“We know that COVID-19 is real, but so is police brutality, so is systemic racism, and so is bigotry. We can fight them all by wearing masks, socially distancing, and marching in the name of #JusticeForJacobBlake,” Philome wrote in a Facebook post.
OneFargo protesters march on Broadway through downtown Fargo Saturday, Aug. 29. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Stopping at intervals like the Red River Market, City Hall, Block 9, and apartment buildings owned by the Kilbourne Group, they also challenged North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to listen to their message. Protesters passed First Avenue North where the May 30 riot occurred without stopping, but paused at NP Avenue, effectively shutting down traffic.
Fargo Police did not have a noticeable presence during the march, but announced protesters were blocking traffic in the downtown area at 12:30 p.m.
Many Native people attended the march, and for protest organizer Henry Gipp, of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the march was personal. He said his brother, Ryan Gipp, was killed in October 2017 by Bureau of Indian Affairs officers.
“These marches are so important so we stay visible, so the message isn’t lost,” Gipp said. “City officials are trying to ignore this, but this is one lane that has to be filled. I pray every day, a part of Native culture is to pray for my enemies. This is something I have to do.”
Volunteer street medics marching alongside protesters during Saturday, Aug. 29 Justice for Jacob Blake march. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Volunteer security in red vests, at least one armed with a handgun, said several cars tried to drown out speakers by revving their engines while Philome and Gipp spoke. One man from Iowa, who refused to give his name, was armed with a handgun and said he was acting alone performing surveillance.
“Just keeping an eye on the Marxists over there. They’re not really about black lives because they’re Marxist,” he said. He wore a shirt and a bracelet emblazoned with InfoWars, the far-right American conspiracy theory website owned by Alex Jones.
Gipp said he was aware of the lone watcher.
“They have guys with guns, and they have ill intent, but God is with me,” Gipp said. “I can’t say it’s unbelievable anymore, it’s part of the system that needs to be dismantled.”
An armed counter protester from Iowa said he was working surveillance on his own at Island Park while protesters gathered on Saturday, Aug. 25. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Volunteer medics, in yellow vests, said their job on Saturday was to pass out water and snacks, along with sunblock and insect repellent to those in need as well as to take care of any injuries during the march. Most of the volunteers had marched with OneFargo before, and said people on motorcycles have tried to separate their medic vehicle, which trails at the end.
“We try to be aware of any potential risks,” said Lyndi Williams, a volunteer medic who lives in Moorhead.
“People tend to target medics as well,” Quindlynn Overland, from Moorhead, said. “We get a lot of loud drive-bys. Sometimes that is terrifying, and they try to get us separated by stopping in front of us to hold medics back.”
Philome and other organizers have received many online threats, he said. When a sports car revved its engine, backfiring multiple times during a speech, Philome laughed.
Musician Michael 'Strike' Barrett, leader of an employee walkout from a local restaurant and now better from COVID-19, attends protest on Saturday, Aug. 29. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
“My hope is that one day that gas tank is empty,” he said. “But the price of justice is not cheap. It very well may end up costing me my life. It very well may cost any of you your life. But now they are afraid and they are uncomfortable,” Philome said, referring to elected officials and those he described as racists in the community.
Philome challenged those he called racists by calling them keyboard warriors and the “largest group to never put feet on the ground,” he said.
“Stop Facebook paragraphs. Stop arguing with them. Stop telling them to see the light when they’re living in a bird box. Conserve your energy for the things that matter,” Philome said.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribal member Henry Gipp challenges shoppers at the Red River Market to join in the march on Saturday, Aug. 29. Some shoppers did join. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Philome ended the march by challenging people to show up at city council meetings while City Hall is open.
“If you don’t show up, we cannot win,” Philome said, adding that he will call on the Fargo-Moorhead community two more times in the near future.
Gipp also challenged elected officials to pay attention to those who cannot afford their own homes.
“You enjoy prosperity, but ignore poverty,” Gipp said. “Where is Burgum?”
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