Waltham Residents Hold Silent Black Lives Matter Protest

WALTHAM, MA —Protests over the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis continued in dozens of U.S. cities throughout the weekend across the commonwealth, including in Waltham.

Almost two dozen people brought signs to the Waltham Common Sunday to protest, holding signs that read "Enough! Stop Killing Black People"

"The response was overwhelmingly supportive, though we did have to engage with some white people trotting out the 'all lives matter' argument and noting that approximately the same number of whites and blacks are killed by police—without acknowledging that blacks are a much, much smaller percentage of the population," organizer Jennifer Rose. "But that was in part why we were there: to use the privilege and safety we have as white people to confront this type of ignorant, hateful racism, like the despicable rhetoric coming from the White House."

Rose said she hopes the group's message of solidarity and validation was a small source of solace to the black community in town.

Floyd was killed by a now-former Minneapolis police officer who put his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he couldn't breathe. The officer has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Video of the incident sparked anger and kicked off protest across the country. A number of mostly peaceful protests in large cities turned chaotic over the weekend with vandalism, looting, including in Boston this weekend.

Read more:

• I Hear You. Black Lives Matter: Newton Mayor To Protesters
• Boston Protest Damage: Cleanup Begins [Photos]
• Waltham Police Chief Speaks Out Against Death Of George Floyd

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Waltham Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.