Local News

Protesters march on Roxbury streets over police shootings

Protesters march in the street. Susan Zalkind / Boston.com

July 10, 2016

2 minutes to read

Dorothy Bogard was standing on the back of a truck Saturday before several hundred people, in an empty lot at Crawford and Warren streets, amid chants of, “Say his name! Randolph McClain!”

Dorothy Bogard holds up a sign at the protest.

“I just want you to know I appreciate you all for coming out today,” she said in tears.

It was the first time Bogard had spoken before a crowd about her brother’s death.

The protesters had blocked traffic in Roxbury Saturday. Organizers of the rally against police shootings had led them down Warren Street from Dudley Square, before gathering again for more talks.

Bogard’s brother, 33-year-old Randolph McClain, died earlier this year, after he was shot to death by officers in the Lynn Police Department. When police came to his apartment to serve outstanding warrants for his arrest, he allegedly attempted an armed carjacking and then pointed his gun at officers, according to The Boston Globe.

“What they are doing to our people is not right,” Bogard told Boston.com, taking a break from the march earlier in the day.

Her brother left behind three children, and was close with his other five siblings. Bogard, 25, said she had been active against police brutality even before her brother was killed.

“I feel like with modern technology it’s being filmed so everybody is actually seeing what’s going on,” she said.

Asked how she felt after speaking to the crowd, Bogard said, “I’m still sad, but I’m happy that people are finally standing up.”

The protest was held by the group, Mass Action Against Police Brutality following the police shootings of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana. The group said it plans to organize another protest later this week.

“You see the police, pull out your phone. For goodness sake, always keep your phone charged. Keep your phone charged, keep it on your hip at all times,” organizer Tahia Sykes said to the crowd. “Let’s make it clear, boys in blue need to be recorded immediately, I don’t care if they do nothing,” she said.