Protestors blocked from funeral procession
Posted by: Laurann Robinson
Many people at Officer Kerrie Orozco’s funeral today were working for a specific cause.
In addition to showing their support and solidarity for the killed officer… many people at the funeral procession had one specific goal in mind.
White banners with a single blue stripe could be seen lining the road of the funeral procession. A strategic plan to keep a group of protestors out of sight from Officer Orozco’s friends and family.
“Today we wanted to come support Officer Orozco’s family and to make sure that we blocked out any hate that might have been here and fill this area with love instead,” said Kate Kielion, organizer of the group.
Kielion knew that a church group from Kansas, known for protesting at these types of funerals would be there. So she wanted to do something about it.
With help from the local community in Omaha, as well as participants from Lincoln, Kielion was able to accomplish her goal.
Also in attendance, Summer Theis, who lives in Lincoln, said she drove up last minute to help out once she found out about the group,
“She somehow rounded up all of these people on a group on facebook. I haven’t even met her, I don’t think,” said Theis.
Kielion says it all happened in just over 12 hours. She posted the facebook group, and people just came with sheets and lumber, ready to work.
“I’ve never been more proud to be an American or a Nebraskan. I’ve never seen so many people come together, especially on such short notice, for somebody that most of us have never even met or heard of prior to her passing,” added Theis.
She also said the protestors from Kansas had planned to stay for around an hour. But due to being blocked by the “white out”, the group left after 20 minutes.
