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The men and women involved in Monday’s protest at the parking lot in front of WalMart were a fine example of how to conduct a protest. They carried signs, called out slogans and peacefully interacted with the few people who approached them about their presence.

We say few because if you happened to come by that evening, you might have noted that the parking lot was largely empty. WalMart chose to close earlier than usual that day. Perhaps it was a coincidence, though we’re inclined to think that store management got word of the protest and decided to err on the side of caution.

Yet, there was nothing that screamed or even hinted that the group was going to become belligerent, confrontational or outright violent. The participants simply want to call attention to the injustices caused by racism that’s pervasive throughout the country.

LaDonna Porter, one of the demonstrators who spoke to the paper, put it most succinctly. “You have to show the peace to get peace.”

Our hope is that more localities learn of how well Franklin and Southampton County residents carried themselves, and become a model for others.

Our prayer is that more people make the effort to listen to such protestors and then learn from what they’re saying.