Protesters Rally in Florence To Back Accused Massachusetts Murderess

Protesters Rally in Florence To Back Accused Massachusetts Murderess

On a sunny Monday afternoon, a grassy patch along Highway 327 in Florence, South Carolina, buzzed with agitation. Over a dozen people rose in protest, their voices echoing through the traffic noise, chanting insistently, “Free Karen Read.” Their placards, held high, told the same story of their solidarity with a woman accused of a heinous crime miles away in Massachusetts.

The Case That Sparked The Protest

Karen Read stands accused of intentionally running over her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) outside their home in Massachusetts. Reports suggest this fatal incident happened on a frigid January night in 2022 after a routine bout of drinks. O’Keefe, a serving officer with the Boston police department, succumbed to his injuries, having been left unaided in a brutal snowstorm.

The defense presented a narrative in stark contrast to the alleged crime. They argued that Read’s boyfriend, John O’Keefe, was first assaulted in the basement and then bitten by a dog at the residence of another Boston police officer. According to them, O’Keefe was already severely injured before Read dragged him out into the snow. The first trial, held earlier this summer, ended inconclusively with a hung jury, leaving room for a retrial expected in the early months of next year.

A Show Of Solidarity For The Accused

Onlookers watched, sometimes in support, sometimes in obvious disdain as protesters from various parts of Pee Dee and Horry County gathered to voice their belief in Read’s innocence. A few of the attendees declared they had been residents of Massachusetts at one point but had no direct connection to Read.

“We’re backing Karen. We also have cards that we’re going to hand out. If people ask questions, we want to give them the information. There’s also a QR code on there if they want to donate to Karen and help her out. So, free Karen Read,” declared Annette Stephenson, a supporter. Lauren Wilson and her fiancé trekked all the way from Georgia to join the throng, firmly believing in Read’s cause. “You can see this is a mess. And she deserves justice. And so does the officer who died,” said Wilson.

The group pledged to stage more protests if necessary, to amplify their call for fairness and extend their support to Karen Read. This event signifies the power of collective voices and the lengths people are willing to go to fight for what they believe is just.