Beverly Mayor: Unsanctioned Parade Included Bullying, Racism

BEVERLY, MA — Mayor Mike Cahill said some participants in an unofficial Fourth of July Parade in Beverly Farms "crossed the line of decency and basic kindness" with messages that were examples of "overt bullying and racism."

In a message to residents, Cahill also targeted the organizers, who sent out an email "endorsing and celebrating" the actions that included a photo of a racist message.

"One group displayed a sign targeting two private individuals and by extension their families with a message of hate. Another group displayed a racist sign that sought to scapegoat an entire group of people," Cahill wrote. "This is all completely wrong and unacceptable, and things have to change. We cannot watch this overt bullying and racism and be silent."

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Cahill said Beverly officials have begun scheduling a series of public conversations to discuss race issues in the city. The parade came together after the city's official Fourth of July events were canceled because of the coronavirus crisis.

Dave Copeland covers Beverly and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).