WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police and community activists are inviting city residents to a community cookout this Sunday.

The event “First Steps Barbecue,” will be held at McAdams Park, starting at 6 p.m.

After a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Tuesday, police Chief Gordon Ramsay met with local activist leaders to discuss replacing a second protest planned for Sunday with the cookout.

Ramsay says officers will be encouraged — but not required — to attend the event to interact with citizens. The police department will provide the food, with officers grilling and serving it.

 

In lieu of the planned protest Sunday, police are partnering with protest leaders to host a barbecue and have positive police interaction.

— Chief Gordon Ramsay (@Chief_Ramsay) July 14, 2016

 

The department is seeking donations for the cookout.