BOSTON — Protests continued for a third straight weekend across the country following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Several more demonstrations and protests took place in Massachusetts on Sunday, including in Boston.
A Christian prayer service sponsored by Unite Boston and the Watson One Foundation took place at 2:30 p.m. on the Boston Common on Sunday.
Former Patriots TE Ben Watson attended and spoke during the event.
“I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me, [saying], ‘I don’t understand, where did all this stuff come from,’" Watson said at the service. “Educate yourself on the history of this country, educate yourself on what’s happening, why are certain people feeling certain ways."
The former tight end said he believes the diverse crowd that turned out to Sunday’s service is a reflection of the movement happening across the nation.
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That prayer service on Boston Common comes one day after several peaceful protests across Massachusetts.
A large group gathered at Emerson Park on Saturday for a peaceful protest that included speakers, rally chants, and an 8-minute, 46-second moment of silence in honor of Floyd.
In Boston instead of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pride parade, the LGBTQ community came together at Franklin Park to reflect on racism in America and a push for equality.
“I am a black transgender woman and what you are doing to me, is you’re treating me like I am inhuman,” said Chastity Bowick, executive director of the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts.
“The White House does nothing but fuel hate toward our community and give other people to feel like they have the right energy to beat us, to abuse us, and to deny us basic services.”