The Oshkosh Police Department took a unique approach to the news of today's tragedy in Dallas by inviting their community to join them in a unity walk in their downtown district. It was a chance for everyone from cops to residents to store owners to share support for all lives in the midst of this horrific event.
Oshkosh is over one thousand miles away from Dallas but tonight, northeast Wisconsin might as well be next door.
"This stuff happens everywhere and this could happen right here right now and we just need to come together before this happens again," says Travis Vutjahr of Oshkosh who showed up to the event.
Hundreds from the area are accepting the police department's invitation today and gathering for a unity walk in Oshkosh's downtown district.
"The family immediately decided we were coming down," says Greg Reed of Oshkosh who is accompanied by his loved ones.
Many want to show police here their support and so many more want to open up the conversation about what's going on in America.
"I feel that our police officers right now are doing a nearly impossible job. Members of our black community are living nearly impossible lives. And an event like this is an opportunity for us to show that our family our community supports both of those groups," adds Reed.
"It's more than just having vigils. It really is about trying to develop a way to have an understanding of who we are as human beings and coming together for some serious dialogue," says Dr. Sylvia Carey-Butler of Oshkosh.
But as hundreds of people march down Main Street you'll notice that they're not protesting, they're not chanting, they're simply trying to share one message with everyone in attendance, Oshkosh is unified.
"We're all Americans. We need to stand together. It's not a matter of black or white," says Tamara Berger of Oshkosh.
Because just maybe by opening up the door to conversations like this with your neighbors, communities can change the tone of the country one discussion at a time.
