There has been no let-up for the Black Lives Matter JP group outside the First Baptist Church on Centre Street, as they held their 52nd monthly vigil featuring Rev. Darrell R. Hamilton, II.
The BLM-JP group has met the first Thursday of every month for more than four years – celebrating their fourth anniversary of fighting against racial violence and white nationalism last December. On July 2, in front of the First Baptist, the group swelled to nearly 250 participants as they displayed signs and listened to Rev.
Hamilton speak. “We were very honored to have one of the First Baptist pastors speak to us,” said organizer Mary Lenihan. “The Rev. Darrell R. Hamilton, II, called us to move out of our white people’s comfort zone and be an accomplice with Black People, to fight racial violence and the rise of white nationalism.”
“You should not only hold signs for Black Lives Matter, but also know you are responsible for the very gentrification of Black and Brown neighborhoods,” he said. “You must be not only be allies, but also accomplices to Black Lives.”
Organizers invite all to join them the first Thursday of every month at 5:30-6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church to be inspired and moved to action to fight racial violence and the rise of white nationalism.