Organizer Pleased with Rally Spurred by Police-Related Deaths

TYLER — The organizer of a downtown Tyler rally Thursday afternoon says she’s pleased with the event. Working with a new group called Tyler United, Ambra Phillips sought to bring attention to recent police-related deaths in Missouri, New York, and elsewhere. Phillips pointed out that she wished to do so in a peaceful manner and says that’s the way it worked out, except for a brief disruption that was quickly quelled. Phillips said we need to “stop seeing each other’s differences as threats — learn to look at each other and appreciate that we are all different.”

Some 200 people turned out for the rally; speakers included Rabbi Neal Katz and Rev. Jerome Milton, well-known for their efforts on behalf of diversity and unity. Several local officials also came out, and Phillips says she’s happy with the support her group got from local government, as well as from several community groups that were represented.

Phillips adds that Tyler United is just getting started. She says the group is hoping to set up some forums and get some open dialogue going, perhaps involving the police department. Phillips told KTBB, “We just want to have a good relationship with everyone so we can assure that things like Ferguson don’t happen here or anyone sees us as a divided community.”