Black Lives Matter protesters are preparing for rallies in Dallas on Friday evening and Fort Worth Saturday night.
In Fort Worth, the organizers don’t fit the image you might expect. For starters, they’re not black, and they say that’s part of the point.
"I’m not expressing leadership. I'm here to support," said organizer Cheryl Ananda.
She and co-organizer Diane Wood don't have to get involved. They're both retired and Wood is a grandmother.
Life is pretty comfortable, and yet, said Ananda, "I feel very strongly that there is an injustice being dealt and I have an inner compulsion to act on that."
So on Saturday night, they'll be in downtown Fort Worth, helping lead a Black Lives Matter rally.
"It's not just a black issue. it's an American issue and I think it's important that people of conscience of all ethnicities come together," said Ananda.
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Like all of us, the ladies were heartbroken by the murder of five Dallas police officers.
"I'm very, very, very in touch with the grief from the police officers’ families," said Wood.
But they also felt the Black Lives Matter movement was unfairly blamed.
"This was someone from the outside who came down with an alternate agenda," Ananda said.
Now they want to bring attention back to healing racial divides and encouraging more open conversation between the public and the police.
"Certainly all lives matter. All of us are precious in this world,” said Wood. “Everybody matters. The Black Lives Matter is focused because there's a problem that won't stop."
"I don't think that racism has ever died or been resolved in this country. It went under the carpet for a lot of white America," Ananda added.
Now, as they act today, the ladies are thinking of a tomorrow they may not see.
“Now that I am a grandmother, it’s on my mind,” said Wood.
They’re hoping their voices will help pave the way.
"The determination to discuss it with each other,” said Wood. “To sit down and talk about what racism really is and how can we work together."
The rally is at the Fort Worth Water Gardens from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Police will be present to help keep it safe. They say they are still on high alert and patrolling in two-man units.
