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Community marches in unity after racist graffiti tagged on Big Four Bridge

Despite the excessive heat, community members came out to march against hate at the Big Four Bridge.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – The city was under an excessive heat warning on Saturday but that didn’t deter the crowd from showing up to Waterfront Park.

They came to walk the Big Four Bridge to show unity and compassion while political leaders and community members spoke out against discrimination.

“It’s not time to be silent. We no longer have that option. We see what’s happening in this state, we see what’s happening in this world and if they have hate, then we need to push back with love and with our voices,” Hannah Drake said.

The walk was in response to the “N” word being spray painted in two different places on the bridge. One was on the Louisville side and the other on the Jeffersonville side.

The Big Four Bridge is one of the most visited spots in the city. Many people who have walked the stretch focused on a sense of place.

Drake is a local artist, poet and activist who organized the event. She says she’s happy with the turnout and expected nothing less.

Credit: WHAS-TV
Hannah Drake

"To be quite honest, this is what I expected of Louisville. I expect them to show up, I expect them to act in love, I expect them to show compassion. This is what you're supposed to do for your fellow human beings so today was wonderful, but this is what I expected of the city," she said.

Credit: WHAS-TV
Karen McKnight draws feelings of compassion at the Big Four Bridge on July 20, 2019.

LMPD is currently trying to find out who wrote the graffiti and the bridge does have cameras on it.

Contact reporter Kristin Goodwillie at KGoodwillie@whas11.com and follow her on Twitter and Facebook  

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