MARION COUNTY — A group of local people are planning a protest Thursday morning at the Marion County Courthouse regarding the recent 25 year sentence given to a 33-year-old Centralia man who was convicted 10 years ago for possession with the intent to distribute narcotics.

Protest organizer Vernell Burris says the march will show their disagreement with Chief Judge Michael McHaney’s decision last week to sentence Quinton Johnson to 25 years in prison.

Burris says the sentence doesn’t fit the crime. He says judges continue to destroy black American families by removing the fathers from homes and sentencing black males to long prison sentences. Burris calls the long sentences racial and a miscarriage of justice.

He claims white people continue to plea bargain and are sentenced to shorter prison terms, and claims the Marion County State’s Attorney drops crimes against violators.

State’s Attorney Matt Wilzbach says Johnson was given an opportunity at a plea agreement for 9-years in prison but rejected the offer.

Wilzbach says Johnson was then convicted, absconded for three years and was subsequently arrested and convicted of two violent crimes while awaiting sentencing on the original case.

Burris says anyone wanting to participate in the protest is asked to meet at Laura Leake park at 8 a.m. Thursday, noting cars are needed to transport people to the courthouse.

Signs will be made at the park after 1 p.m. Wednesday.