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Racial Inequality Protests In Waltham, Woburn Bring Out Several Generations

WALTHAM (CBS) – Several communities around the state held peaceful protests and rallies Thursday in response to the death of George Floyd.

In Waltham, families showed up to an event, holding signs and cheering as cars drove by to spread the message of Black Lives Matter.

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A George Floyd protest in Waltham. (WBZ-TV)

The event lasted about a half hour, but was designed that way so families could feel comfortable bringing their children, so seniors could attend and so everyone could practice social distancing.

"It's so nice to see all generations here," said one woman who attended.

Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy was among the people at the rally.

"I'm here to support all the people in the City of Waltham, particularly Black Lives Matter," she said. "We all saw what happened in Minneapolis and around the country, and we want to make sure it doesn't happen over here. So we are trying to work together peacefully to show people that love conquers hate."

In Woburn, a two-hour protest marched from Woburn High School to City Hall. The protest was organized by high school senior Brooklyn Manna, who spoke at the rally.

"Let's be professional and get the right message out to everyone," she said to the crowd.

Manna worked with the mayor's office to get the proper permits.

"I wanted to attend the Boston rallies but I was nervous about the violence," she said. "So I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to get my community together and have a peaceful protest."

"We thank all these students for being here," said Mayor Scott Galvin. "These are the leaders of our country and there hear and it speaks volumes of how they feel."

 

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