Officials have planned road closures and safety precautions ahead of a controversial White Lives Matter rally planned in Shelbyville.
Authorities said they want to assure the public that law enforcement and other agencies “have been working diligently and have planned extensively in preparation for the rally.” They have put plans in place to help “maintain order, provide safety, and protect rights of freedom of assembly and speech.”
The rally, set to be held on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., will shut down multiple roads beginning at 4 a.m. that day.
According to city officials, portions of Lane Parkway and North Cannon Boulevard will be closed at that time to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
The closure on Lane Parkway will take place from the intersection of West Lane and Regent Drive to the North Main Street intersection.
The North Cannon Boulevard closure has been set to affect the portion from the intersection of North Main Street to West Holland Street.
Reports stated signs will be posted to inform citizens of the closures, and drivers should plan to take alternate routes.
An announcement will be made on social media and to media outlets when the roadways have been reopened to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Temporary no-parking signs will also be posted, and those restrictions will be strictly enforced beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday. Anyone who may be found in violation of these restrictions will be towed at the owner’s expense.
On Friday, religious leaders from across the city held a prayer service at First United Methodist Church ahead of the rally on Saturday. The vigil denounced hate and promoted a message of unity.
City officials said they apologize for the inconvenience all the restrictions will cause residents, but they added they appreciate the community’s patience. They also asked participants on all sides to respect each other’s rights, as well as the rights of law enforcement.
Both setup and cleanup efforts were in place with the Shelbyville Public Works Department.
For more information, visit the City of Shelbyville online.
