Jacob Blake Vigil And Rally Held In Union Square Park

UNION SQUARE PARK, NY — Union Square Park was one of many locations throughout New York City and the country where people came together on Tuesday to rally and pay respects to Jacob Blake, a Black man shot by police in Wisconsin.

The "Justice for Jacob Blake!" event took place on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in Union Square.

The intention of the gathering was to hold a vigil for Blake, where people could grieve and heal together.

The event was organized by Peoples Power Assemblies, a group that "organizes to empower workers and oppressed people to demand jobs, educations and healthcare while fighting against racist police terror, sexism, LGBTQ and ableist oppression," according to its website.

The group asked that all people attending wear masks and do their best to maintain social distancing throughout the gathering.

"Join us at Union Square as we hold a vigil and rally for Jacob Blake and his family, especially his three sons who had to watch the cops taser and then shoot their father seven times in the back as he was trying to break up a fight," organizers said in a Facebook page for the event.

The vigil in Union Square was one of many demonstrations for Blake going on Tuesday in New York City.

The 29-year-old is still hospitalized and has been paralyzed by the shooting, according to his father.

The Wisconsin shooting has reignited ongoing protests that began in late May following the death of George Floyd.

You can read more about the protests that have taken place in New York City here:

• NYC Protest Spurred By Jacob Blake Shooting Ends In Park Slope

Patch reporter Anna Quinn contributed to this report.