'Amplify Black Voices' Is Rallying Cry At Worcester Protest

WORCESTER, MA — For the third day in a row, scores of people gathered in Worcester to protest police violence in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. On Monday night, hundreds gathered in the downtown area for a peaceful rally and march against police brutality.

Monday's protest was organized in part by City Councilor Khrystian King and local activist Maggie Barjolo. The event began around 6 p.m. with speeches at the Worcester Common before hundreds marched across downtown to the Worcester District Court building.

The Worcester protest took place on the one-week anniversary of Floyd's death at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers. The event was a contrast to the violent confrontations between police and demonstrators that have happened over the past week in cities from Boston to Los Angeles

Only a few Worcester police were present at the event, largely keeping to the outskirts of the crowd to handle traffic control. Worcester police Chief Steven Sargent mingled with the crowd, and some demonstrators stopped to talk or shake hands with police officers.

But demonstrators were also harshly critical of police. The entire plaza behind City Hall and the walkways of the common were covered in the names of people who have been killed by police. Speakers talked at length about being afraid for their black sons and daughters, fearing that they will end up like Floyd.

Wearing a shirt that read, "I can't breathe," Worcester Councilor Khrystian King served as the emcee of the event.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty (l) and City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. also attended the demonstration.

Speaker James Isaac "Ike" McBride spoke about the frustration of seeing the same situation happen over and over.

"A person dies, a family cries, an officer is acquitted," he told the crowd.

Former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin has been charged in connection to Floyd's death. However, police who have been charged in connection to killings, including Freddie Gray in Baltimore and Philando Castile in Minnesota, were not convicted.

Cardethia Moore-Jenkins demanded accountability from police. She also pointed out that many complained that Colin Kaepernick kneeling during "The National Anthem" was disrespectful. Now people are complaining about mass protests in response to police brutality.

"How dare you tell us it was disrespectful," she said. "I bet you want us to kneel now though."

Harrison Barjolo, a senior at South High School, led a reading of names of black people who have been killed by police. His cousin, Maggie Barjolo, helped organized Monday's event. She is a member of the local Amplify Black Voices group. The chant "amplify black voices" was heard throughout the event.

Following speeches, hundreds of demonstrators marched down Commercial Street toward the courthouse.

Leading the march was a group of motorcycles and a man driving a Polaris Slingshot vehicle blaring the NWA song "F--K the Police."

A Worcester police officer watches as marchers cross Foster Street on their way to the courthouse.

Once at the courthouse, demonstrators took turns giving speeches from the front steps with a megaphone. Councilor Khrystian King led the entire crowd in a mass kneel-down, a reference to how George Floyd was killed.

Worcester police did interact with the crowd, including Chief Steven Sargent obliging a demonstrator who wanted a selfie.

The rally returned to the Worcester Common, but by 9 p.m., most attendees had left. A few hours later, Worcester police arrested several people after a confrontation along Main Street, according to WCVB.

The arrests came after a group of more than 50 protesters marched down Main Street just after 11 p.m., according to a MassLive report. A row of police dressed in riot gear met the protesters. Some threw objects at police and tried to light fires, according to the report. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.