ROXBURY, Mass. — A public vigil and rally were held in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood Sunday evening, the Party for Socialism and Liberation [PSL] announced on Facebook. That group organized the event and described it as a vigil for Jacob Blake and a rally against police violence.
Crowd gathering at Nubian Square now for a rally & vigil in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha Police Officers in Wisconsin. One of the organizers says they are demanding police accountability, & plan to march to Franklin Park at around 7/7:15pm @boston25 pic.twitter.com/VPZ11I5wgC
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) August 30, 2020
Blake, a Black man, was shot multiple times in the back by law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisc. last week. Family members say he was breaking up a fight that led to the apparent domestic incidence response by police. He is now paralyzed from the waist down, according to family.
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The event began at 6 p.m. Sunday at Roxbury’s Nubian Square, where speakers spoke to those in attendance at Dudley Square Park.
Organizer Joe Tache says he was disappointed to see Gov Baker activate the MA National Guard on Friday, & says although Baker has not explicitly given a reason for the activation, Tache believes it is because of demonstrations like this. Says it may have discouraged participants pic.twitter.com/DstU8QCubz
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) August 30, 2020
Following the speaking event, those who gathered marched down Washington Street to Franklin Park, the PSL announced.
Thank you to everyone who RSVP'd so far! We will be meeting up in Dudley Square Plaza in Nubian Sq for a speakers...
Posted by PSL Boston - Party for Socialism and Liberation on Sunday, August 30, 2020
Several demands mentioned tonight by demonstrators during speeches. Some include defunding and de-militarizing the police, & reopening all cases involving police violence @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Grp6oKbzMd
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) August 30, 2020
>>>MORE: Gov. Baker activates 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard
People at the rally now starting to march from Nubian Square to Franklin Park. The group is heading down Washington Street, closing off the road to drivers. Many holding signs and chanting. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/iMHnc9gD8T
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) August 30, 2020
Event organizers asked those in attendance to adhere to social distancing guidelines, including standing six feet apart, as well as to wear masks.
“Join us as we demand justice for Jacob Blake and all victims of police terror, standing in solidarity with the continuing rebellion against racist police violence,” the PSL wrote on the event’s Facebook page. “Through our collective strength, organization, and righteous anger, we will force change!”
There was an increased presence of the National Guard in Boston Sunday night; dozens of military police were on standby near Chinatown for several hours.
Gov. Baker ordered their deployment Friday without saying why the troops were needed. Eventually, the guardsmen left downtown Boston by 8 p.m. without incident.
We’ve noticed an increased presence of the National Guard in Boston tonight. Gov. Baker gave the order to deploy them Friday - but he never said why they’ve been on standby here. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/DecRrSdPZU
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) August 31, 2020
👀👀👀 National Guard on standby in Boston. @MassGovernor activated up to 1000 members on Friday, in case anything happens tonight during the #JacobBlake rallies. #NationalGuard #bostonprotest #boston @boston25 pic.twitter.com/DgvbYNUyx2
— Chetan Rakieten (@chetanrakieten) August 30, 2020
Several businesses in Downtown Crossing and along Newbury Street also boarded up their windows as a precaution to the protest that took place in Nubian Square.
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