By Noah Dawson

“A call to society to know that black lives really do matter, that black people are tired of being hunted down by law enforcement, that we want the same protection that many other Americans value and hold dearly, and to really call for equality and justice amongst our fellow Americans.”

That’s what Chris Jackson said Sunday’s protests here in Amarillo were about. Aside from these national issues, Jackson also noted that one of the local issues the protest focused on was the opening of the ‘Big Beaners’ restaurant, as the name has been considered a racist slur to many. Jackson also said that the protest was overall about “inclusiveness and emboldening the movement to know that racism doesn’t have a place in America and definitely not in Amarillo.” Sunday evening, I had the opportunity to interview Jackson, who marched "front and center," about the protest.

As for how the protest went, Jackson said that he felt “it went very well.” He said he was “glad there wasn’t any escalation that led to anyone being left in danger, especially since the opposition clearly brandished firearms.” As for how the protest was able to remain peaceful, Jackson said that “even though there’s obviously a lot of emotions projected, especially about a topic so sensitive as the termination of black life, that ability to hold composure, it shows that we are able to overcome stereotypes within our community. As black people, we can overcome the stigma that we’re violent, that we want to riot, and that we want to cause danger and hate. It also proves that, even when provoked, even when confronted, we can still maintain that peaceful identity when it’s most necessary.”

Regarding how the police handled the situation, Jackson had “a two-pronged way of looking at it.” He did say that “honestly, overall, the Amarillo Police Department did a really good job. They did their job making sure we got to protest, making sure we had a clear pathway. At certain times when certain bikers were roaring their engines, the APD blocked off the street to where they wouldn’t come by City Hall so we could congregate and speak our peace with one another.” He did note that there were a few biker groups that were in support of the protest, though those groups didn’t march with the protest.

“However,” Jackson said, “one thing I did notice is that, whenever it was time to put a barrier between us and the counter-protesters, the shields were facing us. It’s a question black people have said all throughout time, it’s like ‘who’s rights are you really defending, who are you really defending, who are you really protecting?’ Not only are we the protesters that need to have ourselves shielded for our cause, but we’re not even the side that has the weapons. Even on a bare minimum of an ethical scale of logic, your shields should be pointed to the people who have weapons brandished, because if they do decide to fire, and I’m not saying they would, but if they had wanted to, your shields should be shielding us from the firepower. It was just very clear that that was one thing that could have been done a lot better. But, again, that’s what the whole protest is for, police reform in certain matters. I really have respect for APD, but on the national scale there’s so many things that we can do to further enhance and get closer to real, true justice within our society.”

Though the protests went well, he did say that “it’s a small baby step towards something greater that we shouldn’t let die out. It’s okay for just a starter, but that can’t be where it ends, that can’t be the final product, it can’t just be for show. We really have to come together as a community, especially within the black community, to do something greater for ourselves and our other brothers and sisters of all other races that might feel as if they aren’t getting the justice they deserve. It’s not just that black people could solve our own racial injustices, we could pioneer an entire movement to help all of those who are oppressed. I’m really proud of our community, even when faced with adversities we really held together. I’m hoping that we can build a momentum of making this, maybe not habitual protests, but habitual gatherings, getting stronger to know one another. Sharing knowledge with one another, boosting each other, edifying each other. Because, at the end of the day, that personal growth is what’s going to help us branch out and break the system. Hopefully, we can keep this together and hold it together. I’d really like to see a lot of people, especially black people, join the NAACP, and get them to work with our program here in the Amarillo branch, and also the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”

For closing thoughts about the protest, Jackson had this to say:

“I did very little. I was up front and center, marching with everybody, but honestly, it’s really all of those guys out there that brought it all together. It was a really powerful experience to be with my people and other people and march towards a common goal.”

Several more peaceful protests are being planned in the upcoming days and weeks, including an event hosted by the Amarillo Branch NAACP at Bones Hooks Park on Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.