Black Lives Matter Vigil, March In Basking Ridge, Bernardsville

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, hundreds came out to pray and march in two separate events for racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.

In Basking Ridge, 100 residents gathered outside a private home to hold a candlelight vigil in solidarity with those who are grieving the lives lost to police brutality in communities of color.

The vigil was organized by Bernards Township resident Jenny Speal and included five minutes of silence followed by prayers of litany led by the Rev. Rick Morley, pastor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Rev. Dennis Jones of Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Bernards Township Democratic Committeewoman Susan Okin Goldsmith read the Prayer For Our Country from the Jewish Liturgy. Other speakers included Somerset County Freeholder Sara Sooy and Democratic Committee Treasurer Ana Duarte-McCarthy. Sophia Chadda was also in attendance.

"We grieve with the family of George Floyd and — like many in Bernards Township, across the country, and around the world — are outraged about his brutal murder, the slow response when it came to the arrest of those responsible, and the lack of leadership from our president. Sadly, though, we are not surprised," according to a statement by Bernards Township Democratic candidates Chadda and Jon Sandler.

Video below by Sara Nichols:

In Bernardsville, a peaceful march was held on Saturday in Bernardsville to put an end to racial injustice. Read More: 'Show Up For Racial Justice' March Planned In Bernardsville

Organized by Gina Oreficé Beltz the march began at Bernards High School and ended in front of the train station where the Farmer's Market is held. A Bernards High School incoming senior Rai Bindra also rallied students together to join the march. Read More: Bernards Junior Rallies Students To March For Racial Justice

Other peaceful protests were also held in Somerville, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville and virtually in Hillsborough. Read More: Black Lives Matter: Hundreds Gather In Somerset County: Videos

All of the protests, marches and vigils in Somerset County were held following the killing of Floyd, 46, when then Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video, which captured Floyd saying "I can't breathe," went viral, and sparked the nationwide protests. Read More: All 4 Minneapolis Officers Charged As Protests Continue

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