EVERETT — Close to 60 people took to the corners of downtown Everett for a pair of rallies Friday afternoon with two different motivations.
Around 5 p.m., a group of roughly 50 Black Lives Matter supporters rallied at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Pacific Avenue to bring attention to systematic racism and police brutality. At the same time, just a few blocks away, a Back the Blue rally drew a smaller gathering to show backing for local law enforcement.
Olushola Bolonduro helped organize the Black Lives Matter rally through Facebook, he said a similar protest drew approximately 20 people to the same corner of Broadway on Aug. 28 .
He said racism isn’t just a person in a white hood, but manifests itself through healthcare discrimination and mistreatment or inequitable treatment in the justice system. The group wants to hold those in positions of power accountable for letting their racial bias get in the way
“I want people to know it’s not just a fad or a fleeting moment, we are serious about bringing attention to systemic racism and our focus is on bringing attention to that issue,” Bolonduro said ahead of Friday’s rally. “We aren’t trying to start trouble, we aren’t trying to start fights or cause chaos in the community, we are trying to bring attention to a serious issue.”
Down the street, Back the Blue advocates showed their appreciation for police with signs and flags. Nicholas Dale, the man who organized Friday’s Back the Blue rally through Facebook, said he felt it was important to show cops support and love during a time when they are receiving hate.
“You can be pro-cop and not agree with everything they do,” Dale said. “Blind faith isn’t the point here, it is to show support for those good cops that are out there.”
The “Back the Blue” rally was organized in response to the Black Lives Matter protest according to Dale, but the group wasn’t trying to cause trouble and only wanted to show support for cops. Dale said he told his group that it wasn’t an opportunity for hatred or violence.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
Gallery
