Close to a thousand people gathered for a peaceful protest at the West Middle School in Brockton.
The overall message was one of justice, unity, and community.
After the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody and incidents around the country, some wanted to start the conversation towards change.
Deja McCottrell, one of the organizers, said they wanted a different kind of event.
“It’s not just black versus white. It’s not just us versus the cops – it’s everyone versus racism,” said McCottrell. “Instead of it being us versus them, it should be us and them. I just want everybody to stand together in unity and stand as one and remember that we are all one…the little details matter, but remember why we’re doing all this.”
Ollie Jay Spears, one of the organizers, said they want to set an example by bringing everyone together.
“I think the goal is to unite as one, not just as a community, but also our elected officials and our police department. A lot of times across the country and across the state, the police and the politicians weren’t involved in the rallies or the protests,” said Spears. “We want to bring them in. We want to unify everybody and make sure that everyone has a seat at the table.”
Brockton Police Officer Rosie Vazquez-Browne was among the speakers. Originally from the Bronx in New York, Vazquez-Browne organizes basketball tournaments, school backpack drives, and holiday donations for the community.
“I want to say what happened to that poor man was murder,” Vazquez-Browne paused before the crowd encouraged her to continue.
“When I saw that video, it made me sick. Sick to my stomach for days,” said Vazquez-Browne. “But that is not me. That is not who I am and this is not who we are. My brothers and sisters in blue, that is not who we are.”
Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan took a knee with protesters, and chanted Floyd’s name with them.
“We’re known as the City of Champions. This is reflected today in the citizens, law enforcement,” said Sullivan. “Everyone understands that it’s through sharing of ideas that we’re going to get to the level that we need to get in this country and this Commonwealth.”
Just before sunset, about 100 people calmly protested in front of the police station. Protesters urged police in riot to kneel with them, but no movements were made. Some fist bumps were exchanged instead.
Protesters early in the evening took a knee and asked police to join them. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
“I spoke to about five or six police officers in the city, many of them are my friends,” said Brockton native Jeff Gomes. “Some of them I grew up playing soccer with. Some of them I know from around the way. They offered their support because they understand that there are injustices and there are social issues within the infrastructure of the police department. They too understand and see our problem. They want to be a part of the change, rather than a part of the issue.”
When the sun set Tuesday night, separate groups got into sporadic clashes with officers outside of the Police Station.
Fireworks and rocks were thrown at officers, tear gas was fired into the crowd in return.
The National Guard, SEMLEC SWAT teams, and State Police were called in to assist Brockton Police.
Protesters stood along West Street in Brockton. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Dozens of protesters lined West Street, with drivers honking horns as they drove by. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Organizer Deja McCottrell wanted to start a conversation towards positive change. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan says positive and collaborate change needs to, and will happen in the city. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Earlier in the day, protesters stood outside the Brockton Police Station. This group left without incident. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Justice, unity, and peace were the main messages at the protest. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Close to a thousand protesters took a knee at the West Middle School. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
