Thousands March Into Bricktown, Participate In Black Lives Matter Rally

<p>The Black Lives Matter march and rally in Bricktown started slightly earlier than originally planned Sunday evening. </p>

Sunday, July 10th 2016, 7:03 pm

By: News 9

Thousands March Into Bricktown, Participate In Black Lives Matter Rally

Under the Oklahoma summer sun, thousands marched and participated at the Black Lives Matter rally Sunday evening in Bricktown.

The march started slightly earlier than scheduled. Shortly after 5 p.m. marchers walked from 2nd and Walnut and ending in front of the Harkins Theatres.

Here's a look from inside the March @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/HjN97dNY4U
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

An estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people marched into Bricktown, Oklahoma City police said. About 100 Oklahoma City officers worked the event and had help from FBI and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.

"Overall, the event was very positive and uneventful with few incidents," Oklahoma City police Capt. Paco Balderrama said after the rally. "The vast majority of the crowd was pleasant and supportive of the police officers working the event. Several hugs, handshakes and 'thank you' were exchanged as well as pictures with police officers. We are proud to have been able to protect the First Amendment rights of the participants of today’s demonstration without incidents."

For many at the march, the rally was meant to be positive and to affect positive change.

Marcellus Speight, 33 on what the Black Lives Matter protest is about @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/kmr4qeTZg4
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

The rally started with a moment of silence for the officers and victims in the Dallas shootings.

Moment of silence for officers and victims of #Dallas @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/qeW4THwJKc
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

Many speakers told the participants that it is up to them to affect positive change for their community and the best way to have their voices be heard is through their votes.

NACCP-OK president up now. "We're not anti-police, we're anti injustice" he says @NEWS9
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

During the rally, a group of counter-protesters with Confederate rebel flags stood north of the Black Lives Matter rally.

Uniformed Oklahoma City police officers stood between the two groups and later walked the counter-protesters away in hopes of keeping tensions down.

Speaker praising @okcpd for moving counter protestors. "We see you, we thank you, we support you!" @NEWS9
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

The rally paused several times as multiple people became overcome by the heat. Paramedics treated seven people at the rally, Oklahoma City police said. Four of the seven were taken to hospitals for heat-related illness.

The rally remained peaceful throughout the evening and ended with a poem.

Stay with News 9 and News9.com for more information as it becomes available.

An estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people marched into Bricktown, Oklahoma City police said. About 100 Oklahoma City officers worked the event and had help from FBI and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.

For many at the march, the rally was meant to be positive and to affect positive change.

Marcellus Speight, 33 on what the Black Lives Matter protest is about @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/kmr4qeTZg4
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

The rally started with a moment of silence for the officers and victims in the Dallas shootings.

Moment of silence for officers and victims of #Dallas @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/qeW4THwJKc
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

Many speakers told the participants that it is up to them to affect positive change for their community and the best way to have their voices be heard is through their votes.

NACCP-OK president up now. "We're not anti-police, we're anti injustice" he says @NEWS9
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

During the rally, a group of counter-protesters with Confederate rebel flags stood north of the Black Lives Matter rally.

Uniformed Oklahoma City police officers stood between the two groups and later walked the counter-protesters away in hopes of keeping tensions down.

Speaker praising @okcpd for moving counter protestors. "We see you, we thank you, we support you!" @NEWS9
— Grant Hermes News 9 (@GrantHermesKWTV) July 10, 2016

The rally remained peaceful throughout the evening and ended with a poem.

Stay with News 9 and News9.com for more information as it becomes available.

","published":"2016-07-11T00:03:34.000Z","updated":"2016-07-11T04:27:46.000Z","summary":"

The Black Lives Matter march and rally in Bricktown started slightly earlier than originally planned Sunday evening.

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