BLM protest turns into open forum with counter-protesters

For over two hours, 300 people listened to viewpoints on systemic racism, defunding the police, as well as white supremacy.

What was suppose to be a black lives matter protest tongiht in springfeild... turned into public forum with two different view points coming together for constructive dialogue.

Kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy was at the forum all night and joins us live here in the studio to share with us how it went.

Emma-- before social media... before phones.... even before telegraphs.... people would gather in plazas or town squares to discuss current issues in their community.

Tonight... thats what happened in springfield.

Two opposing view points... discussing a mixture of hot button issues such as defunding police and minority oppression.

"we're locals, they're locals so why not come together and talk to one and another."

That's what happened wednesday evening in front of the springfield public library.

Talking.... a change of pace that both sides of the same coin wanted.

"we have been talking about having an open forum for a long time so when i first got here honestly we should scrap this march we should have an open forum with them and thena guy that went over there and talked to them told met that they wanted to do that and they agreed."

"black unity said alot of great stuff and our spokesman marcus took and said a lot of great stuff."

For two hours... 300 people listend to discussions ranging from defunding police... too systemic racism... as well as white supremacy.

"we were able to hear some things that we didn't know in their crowd and they were able to hear some things from our crowd that we know weren't being heard.

Things did get a little tense on both sides of view points... but in general... respect was given to each speaker.

"this was a peaceful protest, it didn't end up with looting, rioting.

No one got hurt."

At the end... both sides understood that the issues facing all americans today should not be political.... and these conversations need to happen more.

"this was so big because this showed me some of them acually agreed with some of the thing we agreed with and i didn't know that.

I thought they were completely against us and this shows the community we need to have these conversations with everybody."

Emma-- the one thing both sides agreed on is that the system is broken.

But how to fix it?

That will require more open forums like what i saw tonight.

Live in the studio connor mccarthy kezi nine news.