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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 11 ,2 02 0 | 12 @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew oniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew oniclew @WLChr oniclewes @WLChr oniclew @WLChr oniclew oniclew oniclewes @WLChr oniclew @WLChr oniclew oniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChr @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicl ew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicle wes @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicl ew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicl ew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicle wes @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLCh roniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew @WLC hroniclew @WLChronicl ew oniclew @WLChroniclew @WLChroniclew fo llo w u s @WLChroniclew In a tremendous show of strength with the Black community, Waterloo residents came out in droves to support the Black Lives Matter movement on Wednesday, June 3, protesting racism and police bru- tality. The K-W Solidarity March brought out people of all ages -- and colours in a show of unity. Protests began recently after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. I personally don't recall an event bring- ing this amount of people together in the Kitchener-Waterloo area at one time, which shows the importance of the cause that so many seemed to understand. As a person of colour, it was a sight to see and made me proud to be a member of this com- munity. Here are some takeaways from a day no one will soon forget: THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE While Waterloo Regional Police Ser- vice's spokesperson Ashley Dietrich says there isn't an estimate of the crowd num- bers, more than 5,300 people RSVPd to the event on Facebook. Attendance though likely stretched into the five-digit mark. Dietrich said the protest was "very peaceful" and no charges were laid. "We would like to thank the organizers and all those who took part in the K-W Soli- darity March for Black Lives Matter. WRPS is committed to working with our community to ensure everyone feels safe and included," said Dietrich in an email to the Waterloo Chronicle. A CONCERTED EFFORT TO PREVENT COVID-19 SPREAD While physical distancing with thou- sands of people rallying is virtually impos- sible, organizers and participants did their best to maintain safety. Almost every single person was wear- ing a mask or face covering, while I didn't notice many hugs, handshakes or physical contact. Water bottles and personal pro- tective equipment were being handed out by organizers. MULTICULTURAL, MILLENNIAL In true Waterloo region spirit, people of all colours came out to the rally and had several chants during their march which spanned Charles and King Streets on a beautiful evening. Meanwhile, the crowd appeared to be mostly under 30, with older folk in there as well, as activism was at its finest. IT WAS PEACEFUL For all intents and purposes, there was no looting and there didn't appear to be any disturbances as Waterloo officers mostly watched without having to intervene. There was not a shred of rowdiness and rules were followed. At the end of the march, participants took a knee and held their fists up. Cars even lined up along the route on Charles Street and Benton Street to show their appreciation for the cause. IT WAS POWERFUL Messages reading "I checked my privi- lege and it told me to speak up," and "No justice, no peace" were just two of many signs that were created by rallyers to spread the Black Lives Matter message. Local MPP Laura Mae Lindo perhaps pro- vided the most important quote of the eve- ning prior to the march, saying that "I need you to recognize that anti-Black racism is a public health crisis." Namish Modi is a Torstar community reporter. Reach him at nmodi@torstar.ca. TAKEAWAYS FROM MASSIVE BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLY OPINION AS A PERSON OF COLOUR, IT WAS A SIGHT TO SEE AND MADE ME PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, WRITES NAMISH MODI NAMISH MODI Column Grow with Us! Have Your Say! Waterloo Region - let's start talking numbers! The Region of Waterloo is going virtual for our second round of public engagement on the Regional Official Plan (ROP) Review. regional official plan 2041 We look forward to a great conversation on opportunities for growth. For more information and to register visit www.engagewr.ca/regional-official-plan Can't wait to share your thoughts? Tell us now on social media using #talkinggrowth •NEW information about intensification, density, and major transit station areas will be presented Thursday, June 25, 2020 6 - 8 p.m.