MIDDLETOWN/WALLKILL – An estimated 400 protesters walked through the streets of Middletown Wednesday evening with police blocking intersections so the marchers could continue on their way as they called for unity and an end to violence.
There were rumors that instigators would convince the marchers to continue from the city into the Town of Wallkill on the Route 211 shopping district. The word police received was that ringleaders wanted the marches to head to the Walmart store.
As a precaution, wooden pallets were piled up blocking both entrances and 15 police cars from the State Police, Wallkill Town Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, lined up in front of the store in the event they had to secure the facility.
The skies opened at one point dumping buckets of water on the area. The police remained at Walmart for some time thereafter.
