Speakers talk racism and police brutality before city council

Several Columbia residents speak up at city hall against racism and police brutality during Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting.

Speakers called for changes in how law enforcement treats black people.

“There must come a point when these institutions run by white folks, and that would be all of y’all, need to recognize the humanity of people who are not white,” said Traci Wilson-Kleekamp from the group Race Matters, Friends.

Downtown Columbia has seen demonstrations for weeks over the death of George Floyd. Mayor Brian Treece on Monday night suggested a town hall to hear what protesters want, and maybe turn some of that into policy.