Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil in Hanover Center, organized with the goal of mourning black lives lost to racism.
The vigil was the idea of six graduates from Hanover High School.
“We really felt like this was an event that Hanover needed. This is a predominately white town,” said 20-year-old Lily Hibbard. “I think now is the time that we need to be showing up for the Black people in this town and the Black people across America. I think there’s a lot of momentum right now. Keeping that momentum going in small towns like this is just as important as keeping it going in big cities like Boston. It’s an opportunity for people to come and learn.”
The turnout was far more than expected, with roughly 300 candles given out to attendees. Speakers discussed their experience with racism, and offered hope towards positive change.
A moving moment took place when Ayala Royster took to the podium. A mother of two, she told the crowd that when she moved to Hanover, her neighbors told her she was not welcome.
“I wanted to let people know that if Hanover is the town of inclusion, that we have to extend our hands a little bit more and talk to our neighbors,” said Royster. “I think with that experience and no one else talking to you, or trying to get to know you, it feels a little alone. I just want us to be better as a community.”
She urged attendees to keep the conversation going. She said each person has a story to tell, and that each person can create the narrative. Her remarks drew a standing applause from the crowd. She says there is hope.
“To be honest, look at this. I love this I need to see more of this. More of this community engagement. More of people just coming together,” said Royster. “Like I said in the speech, regardless of our race, our sexual orientation, our religion – none of that should matter. We are all humans sharing this Earth. If we can do this a little bit more, I think it would be great.”
Will Rafferty is one of the Co-Organizers of Black Lives Matter Scituate. He led chants with the names of George Floyd, Tamir Rice, and Breonna Taylor.
“Those names are just scratching the surface. We’d be out here until the sun goes down and comes back up if we had to say every name,” said Rafferty. “We’re from Scituate, 97 percent white population, a very homogeneous town. I want to help people use their privilege as a platform to speak out against this. As a POC in Scituate, I’m here for perspective.”
The vigil concluded with the participants kneeling in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd.
Before the ceremony, bells rang from the First Congregational Church with the song, ‘Let peace begin on earth, and let it begin with me.’
“We each need to take our own responsibility. We can’t let somebody else solve the problem,” said Interim Pastor John Terry. “Each and every one of us is involved because we’re all part of it.”
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Flowers and praise were given to Ayala Royster, who hopes to see more events held like this in the future. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Richard Gilmartin of Hanover and his mother, Ginny Gilmartin. Richard says these events are just as important as ones in Boston. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
At the podium is 20-year-old Lily Hibbard, one of the events organizers. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Will and Grace Rafferty of Scituate, with Bandit, who had a sign that read “I bite racists.” Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
More than 300 people attended the vigil in Hanover Center. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
