Interrupted celebration

A demonstration in downtown Reno commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom left some hard feelings.

According to complaints filed afterward, the Reno event was permitted for 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 24 at the federal building at Liberty and Virginia downtown. People arriving early found no noise or maintenance going on, but at 10 a.m., weed whacking and lawn mowing began. Former local NAACP president Lonnie Feemster said, “I witnessed the individual who was reckless and rude in his behavior as he threw one of the event signs and banner for the NAACP on the ground and then walked on them. The loud noise made it impossible to talk to him, and he was using a potentially dangerous device within a few inches of people, including young children.”

Participant Jake Highton wrote, “In the 45 minutes or so that I was there not one soul came in the building. Then, in what I think was deliberate harassment, the lawn mower roared by us and interrupted the demonstration.”