Yardley Black Lives Protest Draws Over 1,000

YARDLEY, PA — More than 1,000 people turned out Thursday for a peaceful demonstration in Yardley to grieve the lives lost to police violence and call for and end to systemic racism.

The protest came shortly before thousands more people showed their support for the movement by driving through a vigil at the nearby 9/11 memorial in Lower Makefield.

"Yesterday was a day of mourning in Yardley Borough for all the lives gone too soon because of racism," borough Councilwoman Caroline Thompson said in a social media post. "It was a day to reflect, as an elected official, how I can do better to be fair and compassionate, balanced and inclusive.

"But through the tears it was also a day to be very, very proud of this community that showed up by the tens of hundreds on the streets of Yardley to say enough is enough. To use the platform and privilege of our affluent town to elevate the voices of the oppressed."

The 30-minute demonstration in downtown Yardley drew more than 1,000 people and there were now incidents of unrest, borough officials said. Protesters briefly spilled out into the roadway on Main Street in Yardley, but it was otherwise orderly, officials said.

"I am humbled to represent a community that so loudly speaks out against racism and injustice," said Councilman David Bria. "Systemic racism remains a daily reality for black, indigenous and people of color. This protest must be the start of our actions — not the end."

The demonstration ran roughly from 5:30-6 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m., a vigil organized by the Bucks County NAACP and other groups began at the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield.

According to Bucks County's The Peace Center, a co-sponsor of the vigil, more than 10,000 took part in the drive-through vigil. Some of them waited in line 3 1/2 hours, The Peace Center said, and cars waiting to attend were spotted miles away.

"It was amazing to see the love, the support and, most importantly, the unity," the Bucks County NAACP said in written statement. "Let's keep up the momentum and continue fighting for change."