Hundreds gather in North Andover for Black Lives Matter vigil

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Coming together through song and prayer, hundreds gathered in North Andover Monday for a Black Lives Matter vigil.

This was a high school student’s idea.

“Especially in my community I live in, there’s not a lot of diversity, so I wanted to show, you know, that we can be equal,” said Gina Gutierrez, a North Andover High School student who helped organize the event.

Organizers say this wasn’t a protest, but more so a time to reflect on what’s happening.

After a few songs, there was an open mic for anyone to share their own experiences with racism.

“There’s definitely racism in Andover, I don’t think it’s as blatant as people want to say it is,” said Elizabeth Walther-Grant, who helped organize the event. “I think it makes it easier for the white people in the community to say ‘oh there’s no racism’ because it’s not as blatant as a burned cross on a yard, or KKK hoods, or anything like the symbols of racism are.”

Walther-Grant says she’s been a victim of racist comments a few times in her life while growing up in this area.

“We’re really hoping that this starts a communication and a dialogue with the town and the people who live here about what it’s like to be a minority in a sort of predominantly white town,” said Walther-Grant.

The turnout was huge and heartwarming to those who planned this.

“It makes me hopeful that change will come in this town,” said Bria Gadsden, another organizer. “And more people will be willing to have those uncomfortable conversations in order to create dialogue in which we’ll see systemic change that makes this area more equitable for all.”

Gadsden and Walther-Grant, along with Mayara Reis, another organizer of the vigil, also created a Facebook group last week called Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices. So far they already have more than 200 members who joined, and it’s quickly growing.

“It goes to show us that it was definitely a necessity,” said Walther-Grant. “If anything when we connected I was just hopeful to get two new friends out of it – two new friends that are black and brown and know what it’s like to live here.”

Walther-Grant says they’re working with town leaders and police on ways to make sure there’s a safe space for people of color especially in towns that aren’t so diverse, and she says Monday’s event was a great way to start making a difference.

MORE COVERAGE ON PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE STATE:

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[ Lawrence mayor watches as protesters sound off ]

[ Protesters gather at UMass Boston campus calling for school to cut ties with police ]

[ Hundreds protest against police brutality in Cambridge Saturday ]

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