For those that live and work in Manitowoc, the unexpected reaction to the Netflix documentary is taking many by surprise. As about one hundred people protested on Friday on their courthouse downtown though, many locals just hope that the protestors leave with a positive impression of their city.
The peaceful protest shut down roads and created a bit of traffic in downtown Manitowoc. And while most of the people rallying are from out of town, locals hope that this story making national headlines portrays their city for what it really is.
A lot of loud and proud people congregated onto the steps of the Manitowoc courthouse today. But those in attendance for the most part, were strangers to Manitowoc.
"Anyone from Manitowoc that I saw there was really just there to watch," says Kendra Cordova an employee at The Hearty Olive just down the road from the court house.
But just visit a shop or two across the street from the protestors and folks are nearly as vocal about their pride, for their city.
“I feel lucky to be here. So I mean hey, I hope you guys feel lucky to have stopped by cause it's a great town," adds Cordova.
"I hope they can leave with a more positive attitude about this city than they might have gotten form some of the comments that people made earlier in this whole process," says John Jagemann the owner of the Courthouse Pub in downtown Manitowoc.
While most who live here aren't screaming or shouting about what Manitowoc is like on a typical day. Locals are willing to let visitors in on a secret about their community.
"It's peaceful, it's quite, all is well in downtown Manitowoc," adds Jagemann.
Because people who live in Manitowoc know their community is more, than just a documentary's portrayal, that's playing out on a national scale.
"I would have hoped for a better reason for Manitowoc to be on the map," says Cordova.
Businesses in town know that Manitowoc won't be in the forefront of the news forever. They're just hoping next time the media and people from out of town show up, it's for what this community truly has to offer.
