PHOTOS: March, bike ride in Boston call for racial justice
"Make no mistake about it that you are writing the next chapter in our civil rights movement right now."
Related Links
Over the weekend, hundreds took to Boston streets on foot, as well as on bikes, to protest police brutality and promote Black solidarity.
On Sunday, a march was hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation Boston in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The march began with speakers in Nubian Square and then proceeded to Franklin Park, according to the event posting on Facebook.
Also happening Sunday was the Ride for Black Lives, a bicycling event in Franklin Park whose third annual outing drew hundreds of participants.
Both events called for justice and an end to police brutality following the non-fatal police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake was shot by police seven times in the back a week ago Sunday as he tried to get in a car following an encounter with officers. Blake is now paralyzed due to the shooting, his family has said. Three of Blake’s children were in the vehicle when their father was shot. Blake’s family led a rally in Kenosha on Saturday.
“They say Black lives matter, but all we see is Black blood splatter in the street everyday,” PSL member Nino Brown told those in attendance at the march, according to The Boston Globe.
At the cycling event, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley spoke to the crowd about the ongoing calls for racial justice and civil rights amid rings of bicycle bells.
“I don’t know if all of you will be recorded in history for the role that you are playing,” she said. “But make no mistake about it that you are writing the next chapter in our civil rights movement right now.”
.@AyannaPressley spoke with passion & conviction to the hundreds of cyclists at today’s @R4BLBOS. She said black people have fought for the collective emancipation, but “often to advance everyone else at the expense of our own full freedoms.” #RideForBlackLives @wbznewsradio pic.twitter.com/MritnXG4BM
— Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) August 30, 2020
On Twitter, Pressley also mentioned how she is the co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus.
“Another world is possible, one where our laws & budgets value Black lives, where there is freedom from fear, criminalization & brutality, for all, including Black riders,” she said in a series of tweets.
Grateful to be in community & in solidarity w my fellow bike activists & racial justice allies at the Ride for Black Lives @R4BLBOS I was so moved by the words & lived experiences shared at this 3rd ride. The movement has not waned. Hundreds showed up to affirm #BLM pic.twitter.com/cwRq5TCds8
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) August 30, 2020
Here are some photos of the march:
Signs are passed out before the start of Sunday’s rally against police brutality and in support of Jacob Blake.
Rev. Jacob Urena snapped approval during a vigil and rally against police brutality and support of Jacob Blake in Boston Sunday.
Attendees marched from Nubian Square to Franklin Park during a vigil and rally against police brutality and in support of Jacob Blake. The event was hosted by PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation) Boston.
Phoenix Printemps spoke during Sunday’s vigil and rally in Boston.
Attendees march from Nubian Square to Franklin Park.
Phoenix Printemps (left) spoke during a vigil and rally against police brutality and in support of Jacob Blake that began in Nubian Square Sunday.
Pheonix Printemps addresses the crowd at the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) vigil and rally.
At the end of their march, the group turns into Franklin Park from Seaver Street.
Get Boston.com's browser alerts:
Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com