Towson Black Lives Matter Rally: Signs Of Unity On York Road

TOWSON, MD — Multiple faith groups and individuals came together Saturday morning in Towson to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

"It's really taken on life of its own — we couldn’t be more pleased," said Ryan Sattler, whose group Racial Justice Circle coordinated the rally. He said he was approached at one of three other rallies the faith-based group has organized and was asked to bring the event to Ascension Lutheran Church in the 7600 block of York Road.

People of various races, creeds, ages and backgrounds stood along the York Road corridor holding signs with messages of unity such as "We See You, We Hear You, We Stand With You."

A steady stream of honks filled the air, where people gave the thumbs-up, flashed the peace sign or held their fists in solidarity.

'The sound of the horn is an affirmation that they also believe that Black Lives Matter. When you have cabs and you have buses that are going by, and they're beeping their horns, you know the message is out there," Sattler said.

“It brings us together for that split moment as they drive by with their thumbs up saying that Black Lives Matter," Sattler told Patch. "They may be strangers to us, but at the end of the day, we're all sisters and brothers, and that's what unites us. That's why we're all here."

The pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church said those who participated were examples.

"You can do what others claim cannot be done — to bring justice and kindness to all," Rev. Dr. Nancy Kraft said. "Love is the answer."

Sattler called the gathering part of an ecumenical movement, with more than 15 organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter rally in Towson: Ascension Lutheran Church, Beyond the Boundaries, Black Onyx Movement, Bolton Street Synagogue, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Church of the Redeemer, Congregation Beit Tikvah, Faith Presbyterian Church, First & St. Stephens's UCC, Grace United Methodist Church, Immigration Outreach Service Center, Latino Racial Justice Circle, Northeast Catholic Community, Pax Christi Baltimore, Racial Justice Circle and School Sisters of Notre Dame.

The next rally hosted by the ecumenical movement will be at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 on the steps of the Baltimore school administration building on North Avenue at Calvert Street.

See Also: Black Lives Matter Rally In Towson Planned For Saturday

Watch some of the demonstration in the 7600 block of York Road:

All photos are by Elizabeth Janney/Patch.