Peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration held in Omak

Black Lives Matter demonstrations have been taking place across the nation, including in Omak, in response to the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 25 from cardiopulmonary arrest resulting from an incident of police brutality. 

About 300 people took part in a peaceful demonstration June 4, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Monday.

The demonstration started about 5 p.m. and ended about 7.

Along Main Street, a “group of local business owners and other supporters, many of whom were armed,” the release states, “prepared to protect businesses and participants from the violence and destruction that has occurred in several cities throughout the nation at other demonstrations.

“Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies from throughout Okanogan County, along with Lifeline Ambulance, Life Flight and Omak Fire, formed a comprehensive response plan to both protect demonstrators and their right to express their concerns, as well as to preserve public safety during an emotionally charged event,” the release states.

No incidents occurred that required any such response, however.

Omak Police Chief Jeff Koplin

and Sheriff Tony Hawley thanked “all of the participants in (the) demonstration as well as the business district supporters for showing that the residents of Okanogan County demonstrate what it means to be strong, yet tolerant of others’ views and accepting of differences.”