Black Lives Matter: Hundreds Gather In Somerset County: Videos

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Hundreds of residents gathered across Somerset County to spread the message that 'Black Lives Matter' among several peaceful protests held this weekend following the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Somerville

In Somerville, two peaceful protests were held on Saturday and Sunday drawing hundreds of residents holding signs and attracting passing cars to honk their horns in support.

The protests were held on the front lawn of the historic Somerset County Courthouse. The demonstration on Saturday was organized by the same group that organized last weekend's peaceful protest in Franklin Township. Read More: 'I Can't Breathe': Protesters Chant In Somerset County, Video

Video below by Ryan Ozlins:

Bridgewater

A Rutgers Prep student and Bridgewater resident Thalia Grandinetti organized a peaceful march on Sunday that began at Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School and continued to the Township Police Department. Police also helped to block off streets to make sure participants safely were able to walk. Read More: Bridgewater Residents March For Black Lives Matter Movement

Bernardsville

In Bernardsville, a peaceful march was held on Saturday in Bernardsville to put an end to racial injustice. Read More: Black Lives Matter Vigil, March In Basking Ridge, 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

Basking Ridge:

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.

Video below by Sara Nichols:

Hillsborough

On Sunday the ICAN (Interfaith Community Action Network) hosted a Virtual Vigil for Justice and Peace in Memory of George Floyd through a Zoom Webinar.

Shanel Robinson, Director of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders was the keynote speaker and several other civic leaders from both parties offered a unified call to the community to stand up for justice and peace.

Faith leaders offered brief prayers and Scriptures from their traditions. Also included was an extended time of silence for participants to bear witness to the time that passed while Floyd begged for mercy.

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

Another march is being planned on Saturday at 2 p.m. to begin at the Bridgewater Library off 1 Vogt Drive. For more information follow instagram.com/bridgewaterforblm.

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