By Hub City Times staff

Emma Normand, left, and Jennifer Espinoza, Athens, hold up signs during a June 4 rally hosted by the Marshfield Police Department at Wenzel Family Plaza downtown. Hub City Times staff photo

MARSHFIELD – Members of the Marshfield Police Department took time on June 4 to meet and talk with members of the community, during a cookout and peaceful rally at Wenzel Family Plaza downtown.

Police Chief Rick Gramza said the idea behind the event came from one of his officers to bring everyone together, to start a dialogue about the recent events sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis last month.

Echo Means of Marshfield shared some of her concerns with the Chief, along with past experiences with the law enforcement community.

Emma Normand and Jennifer Espinoza, both 14, came from Athens for the rally, Emma with a sign that read “Black Lives, Deaths, Pain & Tears Matter”.

Chief Gramza said the various messages of those in attendance were heard load and clear.

Means told Chief Gramza and the other officers their effort to take time to listen to the community goes a long way, and is the first step in effecting change.

Those in attendance were also served free food donated by several Marshfield businesses.