FORT WAYNE Ind. (WPTA21) – A group of healthcare professionals was protesting at the Allen County Courthouse in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on Saturday.
Kristy Richardson is a Fort Wayne nurse practitioner, and she decided it was time healthcare professionals came together.
“I saw the white coats for black lives on social media and I thought I work in healthcare I’m aware of most of these issues,” Richardson said. “Let me see if I can get some of my brothers and sisters in healthcare to come out here and show our support and show our awareness.”
It’s a part of the national campaign, White Coats for Black Lives, these are nurses, doctors, specialists and students protesting against racism.
Grant Olsen is a student studying to become a physician’s assistant at Trine University. He says, because of the pandemic, he hopes protesters are still taking precautions.
“Please, please, please wear a mask, try your best to social distance, and be as peaceful as you can,” Olsen said. “It’s hard to control the passions of the people in a time like this.”
Both Richardson and Olsen say while this is happening with the risk of COVID-19, racism is a pandemic too.
“I agree that it’s a pandemic, and we need to be careful and social distancing,” Richardson said. “But you know what, racism is a pandemic too and we need to stand up when we have the opportunity.”
