Hundreds of people in some Massachusetts cities marked July Fourth with continued demonstrations against systemic racism.
Nearly a thousand people indicated on Facebook they planned to attend a march and rally organized by Black Lives Matter Boston to celebrate Black women. The "Say Her Name March and Rally" began at 4 p.m. at Nubian Square in Roxbury and ended at the Boston Common.
Some protesters there say that rally was not to celebrate American independence.
“We will not celebrate a country that does not — everyone’s not equal, so July Fourth is just not — it’s just not important to Black lives,” said Jennielle Georges.
Others say they will mark their own freedom on a different day, like June 19, also known as Juneteenth, rather than July 4.
“The day that I celebrated liberation was on Juneteenth, so today’s just another day for me," said Akil Reynolds.
Participants gathered at Manning Field in Lynn at noon for "Occupy Wyoma Square," a march in remembrance of George Floyd and to demand change for the Lynn Police Department.
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In Stoughton, a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest was scheduled for 2:15 p.m. beginning at Faxon Park. Demonstrators marched to Town Hall.
Protests have been taking place across the state and the country for weeks in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Participants have called for justice in his case and many others, including Breonna Taylor's, Elijah McClain's and Ahmaud Arbery's.
