BOISE, Idaho — Peaceful Roots of Change officially became an organization on Monday, June 1, but if you remember last Sunday's protest, they were the ones that put that together.
That protest was taken over by Black Lives Matter of Boise then canceled shortly after.
The group decided to go forward with the protest anyway and then they formed their own organization.
"We got shut down a lot of times by black community leaders saying we shouldn't do this," said Benjamin Amisi of the PROC. "I really felt like that was wrong, I felt like I should be able to come out here every day and speak my mind as long as I'm doing it peacefully."
This Sunday, the group held another protest at the Idaho State Capitol to speak out about injustices following the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
"Systemic racism exists, people are being locked up in cages and beaten with no repercussions and that needs to stop," said Ty Werenka of the PROC. "It's not just about George Floyd, it's much bigger than that, and unless you can recognize that we don't need you in the movement."
It has been an interesting first week for this new organization as they faced a backlash from the black community, but they also had to deal with counter-protests, and in one instance, a man'sgun went off.
The leaders of this organization tell us they experience racism in Idaho, but they hope to change how people of color get treated.
Peaceful Roots of Change plans on holding more rallies and educational events in the future.
"We are trying to bridge the gap between the academic, educational side and the people on the ground who are willing to fight to try and bring those people together under one roof for action," said Werenka.
