CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Thursday, June 4, drivers along 41A might have seen a man walking along the side of the road, walking stick in hand greeting people as he went.

Terry Willis is almost 150 miles into his 1,000 mile journey from his home in Huntington, Alabama to Minneapolis, Minnesota where George Floyd was killed in police custody.

Today, Willis was joined by members of the Clarksville community for a moment of Prayer at Burt Elementary School. Jimmy Garland, Clarksville’s NAACP branch president, chose the location for the meeting due to its status as a local Black landmark.

“This is one of the last Black historical landmarks in the area, where black kids back in the 50’s and 60’s went to school,” said Garland. ” Also Dr. Burt was the founder, was one of the first teachers, principals, in Clarksville-Montgomery County. It’s named after him so I figured it was the best place.

Garland went on to explain that Burt Elementary was also Wilma Rudolph’s school, and that she trained there regularly.

Willis spoke with the crowd about his cause as well as his faith, which he says inspired him to take this journey as a statement for change and justice in America.

“I started this journey and it was something that I did not see how it was gonna end, and I still don’t. God just told me to start walking, so I started walking. He tells me to keep walking, so I am going to keep walking,” said Willis. “One thing I can say is that I promise. I made a promise to myself, to my son and now to you. I will get there. No matter how long it takes, I will get there. And once I get there, they will hear us.”

The gathered crowd prayed together for Willis’s success and safety on his walk as well as for the country. Some attendees offered donations to help him along. Willis has said that a portion of such donations will go to charity, though a specific charity has not been chosen at this time.

“I want you to march for my grandchildren. Somebody is marching for my children and my grandbabies,” said one woman in attendance.

Willis went on to thank the people of Clarksville for a warm welcome as he traveled down 41A, to Madison Street and into Downtown Clarksville.

“Man, this was amazing. It was unbelievable, the amount of love and support I have gotten from the community here is just outstanding. I appreciate the love and support that the community in Clarksville has given me,” said Willis “We are gonna walk out of here tomorrow. If they want to march with me, they can march with me, but if not, it’s okay because they have already done enough.”

Willis will resume his walk on College Street in front of APSU’s front gates at 7 o’clock. Locals are invited to come by and see him off and even walk with him for a while if they so choose.

Willis’s journey is being livestreamed and documented on Facebook for those that would like to keep up with his progress.