LYNN — It might have been raining on the Fourth of July but the group Diverse People United “Occupied Wyoma Square” despite the dismal weather.
The group gathered Sunday to ensure that its message was heard — “We aren’t free until everyone is free.”
Included among those who gathered were many local politicians. City Council hopeful Coco Alinsug was among those who participated in the march, and noticed that the crowd that had gathered was a “sea of diversity.”
Even though the weather may not have been the best, Neil Whittredge of Diverse People United was pleased with the community members who came out and voiced their support.
For Whittredge, Sunday’s march was about reminding people about the inequity that exists in America today. On a day when the country’s inhabitants are supposed to celebrate freedom, that isn’t the case for all Americans, he said.
“Today is what they call Independence Day, we’re here to observe how the country celebrates freedom and independence yet denies it to so many people,” he said. “Black people are three times more likely than white people to be killed by the police. We have children in cages at the border. Trans and non-gender conforming people, they’ve been murdered at the highest rate since 2013 and the list goes on. So we have a lot of work to do.”
At the Manning Field parking lot, the group was led in a non-denominational prayer ahead of various speakers who spoke with marchers before the group made its way towards Wyoma Square.
Walking along the route to Wyoma Square, chants of “This is what diversity looks like,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “We are what equality looks like” echoed through the streets.
Once at Wyoma Square, the group formed a circle on Lynnfield Street.. Before any more speeches started the group held a moment of silence for Ramona Cooper and retired Massachusetts State Trooper David L. Green, who were killed last week in Winthrop, in what Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins labeled a hate crime.
Also during the occupation of Wyoma Square, Anthony Coleman of Diverse People United read a rendition of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” to the crowd.
One of the other speakers at the event was Nicole McClain who is running for Councilor-At-Large in Lynn. McClain, a veteran, said that it was amazing to see everyone continuing to make the message known that Black Lives Matter.
“What I’m looking for is progress. What we are all here fighting for and standing and communing with each other for is progress.”
After the occupation of Wyoma Square, the group marched back to the parking lot at Manning Field and their chants once again thundered through the streets of Lynn.
Once the march concluded, Whittredge said that he was proud of everyone who showed up for the cause.
“People showed up and they supported freedom, true freedom, and true justice for all Americans and all people living here in these United States.”
Whitteridge also was proud of the message that DPU sent Sunday.
“I think the message we sent to Lynn is that we are here and that we are not going anywhere. When I say that I mean we’re talking about equity for all. The reason we’re out here is to promote diversity, promote equity, and freedom for all.”
