CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- A peaceful Justice for George Floyd protest is set to take place on Friday and is meant to give participants resources to make a lasting change beyond the march.
Participants will meet at the Carbondale Civic Center at 2 p.m. where there will be a table set up with personal protective equipment. That includes face coverings, gloves and hand sanitizer.
The march will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. and make its way to the Public Safety Center where there will be black and African American youth giving speeches.
That includes Travis Washington who created the "Hands Up Act." It's a petition that would make it mandatory 15-year prison sentence for a police officer who shoots a suspect or civilian who is unarmed.
Another speaker includes Ray Lenzi, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the state's 12th District. He'll be discussing how to grow and come together.
SIU Student Michael Coleman set up the protest and says it's about making people aware of issues in the community and giving them the resources to make a change.
"I know a lot of people have messaged me and emailed me talking about we want to help but we just don't know how to help or where to help," he explains. "This is really what that's going to be."
Dr. Linda Flowers, President of Carbondale's NAACP branch, will also be in attendance getting residents registered to vote.
Safety is a top-priority for Coleman. He says the Carbondale Police Department contacted him about how to keep the event as peaceful as possible and that officers will be on-scene.
In addition to that, Coleman says there is a plan for if participants get out of hand and want to cause damage to any businesses or property.
"We will try and deescalate the situation and make a human chain around the business," he adds. "So that they won't break into them, and there's no stealing or looting."
Following the march, there will an art event at showcasing George Floyd protest materials. That starts at 5 p.m.
For more information on the Justice for George Floyd march and protest on June 5th, click .
