Politics & Government

Hundreds In Stoughton Peacefully Protest Killing Of George Floyd

Stoughton police and town officials took a knee with peaceful protestors outraged over the killing of George Floyd.

STOUGHTON, MA — Protestors, Stoughton police and town officials came together peacefully and stood up to racism and police brutality in remembrance of George Floyd, who died in the custody of Minneapolis police.

The vigil at Halloran Park Wednesday night drew about 200 people and was one of many held throughout the area as people demand change throughout the United States.

Organizers and even some protestors came early to decorate the walking paths in chalk with messages like "Black lives matter."

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Hearts and peace signs were also drawn throughout the park with the hearts being 6 feet apart to give demonstrators the ability to social distance during the coronavirus pandemic. There was even some live music to lift people's spirits.

Organizer Debra Roberts told reporters the turnout was "phenomenal."

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“We as residents, we needed some type of vehicle, some type of event, so we can mourn publicly, and when we do that together and peacefully, I think it's a better product and end result."

The message of the night wasn't just peace but also solidarity between the protestors, town officials and Stoughton police.

Police Chief Donna McNamara and Selectman Bob O'Regan were speakers at the protest, and the two of them, along with other officers, took a knee with the demonstrators for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time authorities said Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd's neck.

"The events of last week tarnished every police department across this country," McNamara said. "We condemn the actions of the Minneapolis police officers."

"As we mourn him, I think about what we have to do make social justice change, and I will work tirelessly with our community," McNamara added.

There were some protestors who were angry with McNamara because during her speech, she misspoke and refered to George Floyd as Gregory Floyd. The crowd yelled "Georg" when she made the mistake. McNamara corrected herself and later issued a public apology.

"I want to publicly apologize for saying Gregory instead of George Floyd during yesterday’s peaceful vigil," McNamara said. "The error took away from the gravity of the occasion.
I apologized immediately to Mrs. Roberts, the organizer of the vigil and know it is important that I apologize publicly as well. Every word we speak has implications. I am crushed that in misspeaking, I detracted from an important event that I wholeheartedly support and believe in."

O'Regan also called for a message of unity, and told protestors Stoughton police are their neighbors, friends and share in their frustration.

"The challenge we have now calls on all of us to make a difference," O'Regan said. "We need to make those choices and fulfill them so George Floyd doesn't die in vain. Black lives matter, brown lives matter, all lives matters and all voices matter."

The protestors joined O'Regan as he passionately shouted for all voices of equality to come together.

Those protestors included people young and old and black and white coming together. Stoughton teen Jenny Theriault said she wanted her voice to be heard for positivity in one of the worst years she can remember between Floyd's death and COVID-19.

"This is scary for kids to see, especially something as big as this," Theriault told Patch. "Some friends broke down scared of looting, and I think a peaceful vigil like this helps."

Stoughton resident Manny Paul was also happy to see the event stayed peaceful. He said he's spent time donating to causes for black people in Minneapolis and encouraged others to get involved, and try to empathize with people's pain. As a black man, Paul said he wanted to remind white people that they're needed as allies for real change to happen.

"Recognize that racism is not a black people problem," Paul said. "Without white people, it will not stop."


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