WORCESTER – As protests spread nationwide since the death of George Floyd last week, thousands of protesters gathered at the Worcester Common on Monday night, June 1 in effort to make a stand against racism and support the “Amplify Black Voices” movement.
The event was organized by City Councilor At-Large Khrystian King, who spoke on the importance of interpersonal accountability regarding today’s issues surrounding racism.
“We have children out here. We have the elderly out here. We have folks that are disabled. Protect their lives like they are yours. We are calling for interpersonal accountability here. Keep your eyes open, wide shut,” King said in a riveting speech, while proudly holding his daughter.
In an interview before his speech, King told ThisWeekinWorcester.com, “Black voices can be amplified by everybody. We really want to hear the voices of our community. I don’t think we have been heard in this way. As an elected official of color, it is my duty to step forward and assist.”
Sha-Asia Medina, 22, one of the peaceful protesters and speakers, aimed to send a healing message by strolling through the Worcester Common while burning sage, shortly before delivering powerful words of encouragement at the podium for black community.
Medina told ThisWeekinWorcester.com, “Sage is a cleansing herb. It’s a protecting herb and I would like to have cleansing energy and clear energy brought into this space to make sure we are protected by whatever forces are trying to push away justice.”
As Medina addressed the crowd, she said, “This is not anti-racism, it’s anti-blackness. No more wishy washy stuff. There are black people being murdered in the streets. It’s not a POC [people of color] issue at the moment.”
“To black people and black people only: I love you. Our lives matter and they always have,” Medina added.
Speakers included Ike McBride, Director of Operations at the Worcester Boys & Girls Club, co- organizer Magdelene Barjolo, Woodrow Adams Jr., Reverend Clyde Talley, and Worcester social worker Cardethia Moore-Jenkins.
In the crowd was Worcester District Attorney Joe Early, who shared with ThisWeekinWorcester.com his hopes for the Worcester community following the event.
“Unity, bringing us together. A man on the ground who is handcuffed saying ‘I can’t breathe,’ should have been listened to. We have got to do better,” Early said.
Following the speeches, protesters began to travel from Worcester Common to Worcester District Courthouse via Commercial St. repeatedly chanting “I can’t breathe,”, “Amplify black voices,” and “ Silence is betrayal,” before taking a knee in front of the courthouse where King delivered closing words.
