BOSTON (WHDH) - After Sunday night’s protests over the death of George Floyd ended with riots in Boston, another vigil for Floyd was planned in West Roxbury Monday.
People set up the silent vigil for Floyd, who died after Minneapolis after police knelt on his neck last week, at the Holy Name Rotary, across the road from the West Roxbury police station.
The demonstrators gathered on the rotary at West Roxbury Parkway and Centre Street directly across from a police precinct where officers set up barriers and stood guard after chaos erupted the night before.
“I can’t not be here,” attendee Cindy Bergeron said. “I live in this community and when I heard there was going to be a rally I had to support it.”
Several stores in the area, including a 7-Eleven, boarded up in advance of the vigil, despite organizers assuring them it would be a peaceful event.
Attendee Tiffany Orman who brought her 8-year-old daughter Ivy to the event said she hoped the vigil would make an impact on passers-by.
“It’s important for my friends, my family, my community to understand it could be my child who’s next,” Ormon said. “And I want there to be a face associated with it, so they can take it home … and hopefully that helps them digest and consume how horrible that is, and helps incite change.”
The peaceful protesters at the event say their message is lost when demonstrations turn violent.
“That we cannot let this continue and we are willing to put our bodies on the line to save black lives,” protester Barbara Martinez said.
The crowd dispersed immediately after the event.
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