PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The cold, rainy weather on Tuesday did not stop a group of residents and business owners from making some noise downtown.
The group, "Virginia is for Lovers not Racists," met at High Street and Washington Street, then walked as a group to the city council meeting to raise awareness about issues of racism in the city.
"I am a born and raised Portsmouth native and the most racism I've seen is here in Old Town," says Amii Creekmur.
As a local hairdresser, Creekmur says she watched the community divide in just her day-to-day job, not only in the way she is treated, but in the stories she hears from her clients of all different races.
She says that is what sparked the idea for the group.
They felt the best way to spread their message was to walk right to a Portsmouth City Council meeting, where organizers feel some of the city's division is fueled.
"There's a responsibility of city council to take charge of this and not have one group opposed to another group, it's totally irresponsible there's no need for it," says Coleman Young, a Virginia is for Lovers not Racists supporter.
Before city council, the group talked about how they can get their positive message into schools and create a forum to discuss race.
However, they say they need the council's focus, which some feel, has gotten off track.
That includes discussions on tearing down a confederate monument, to the heated confrontation between Mayor Kenny Wright and Sheriff Bill Watson.
"It has to do with proper leadership that is invested in the city for all of the people together, not one group, not paying somebody back, but what is the best interest in the majority of the people," says Ross Cherry, a Virginia is for Lovers not Racists supporter.
Mayor Wright applauded the group's movement and said he supports them. He is encouraging them to hold another walk that they can all attend.
"You have no idea what it means as a leader to see citizens getting involved," he said after the first speaker during the city council meeting.
While their message was well received, the group made it clear that actions speak louder than words.
"I hope everybody can speak what they say, but I hope they actually show it in their actions in how they communicate and work together," says Cherry.
