Senator in Utah, Mitt Romney, became the first known Republican senator to march alongside protestors in Washington D.C. Sunday afternoon. The demonstrations are seeking to raise awareness about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n
In an interview, the senator said he joined the protest because he wanted to find “a way to end violence and brutality and to make sure that people understand that black lives matter.” He held up signs with biblical phrases and chanted “Do justice! Do justice!” Attendees also sang hymns like “Amazing Grace”.<\/p>\n
The demonstration that Romney joined was organized by evangelical Christian activists. The event was described as a “Christian Response to Racial Injustice” and drew a large, diverse crowd. Well-known preachers in the area supported the movement, including Thabiti Anyabwile, the pastor of Anacostia River Church, David Platt, lead pastor of McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, Mike Kelsey, McLean Bible Church\u2019s lead pastor of preaching and culture, and Perrin Rogers of the Triumphant Church in Maryland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a branch of the evangelical church\u2014like we saw today\u2014that is standing up against these issues, is speaking out, and believes that Jesus is calling them to speak out,\u201d said Tyler Bowen, an attendee of the conservative Presbyterian Church of America. \u201cSpeaking out is being faithful to his commandments.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day before the protest, Romney shared a photo of his father, George W. Romney, participating in a 1960s civil rights march. Then, George Romney was the governor of Michigan.<\/p>\n
Republican Will Hurd of Texas marched in his state last week, but Romney was the first to publicize joining a demonstration. Democratic senators have been vocal since the beginning. Dems. Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have joined protests in the capitol.<\/p>\n