Union members show solidarity at Mayfield protest

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Union members and union retirees joined Monday's Mayfield protest against systemic police brutality against people of color, notably George Floyd.

"We're all part of the working class," said Josh Dunn, a member of Paducah-based IBEW Local 816. He paraphrased the old socialist and labor leader Eugene V. Debs: "If there is a lower class, then I'm amongst it."

Dunn lives in Mayfield. So does his union brother, Trent Kendall, who printed "I can't breathe" on his white tee shirt with a black felt tip pen. "I love all people because Jesus loved all people, and I want to be a light in a dark world. I want to leave the world a better place," he said.

About 400 people--young, old, African American, Hispanic and white--attended the protest at the courtsquare. It lasted about 90 minutes and "was very peaceful, very orderly,” said Mayor Kathy O’Nan. 

Dunn came with his wife, Cynthia, and their daughter, Lyndee.