Politics & Government

Melrose Delivers Unmistakable Message At Large Rally: Photos

The spirit of change behind the massive rallies and protests that have swept the country finally got its chance to sing in Melrose.

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One of the loudest moments of Sunday's rally was when everyone went silent on bent knee. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Jim Kelly, 86, on the Melrose Veterans Council, served 30 years in the Air Force. "What we do is promote diversity and inclusivity — we make sure everyone is represented. That's our big mission." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Mayor Paul Brodeur helped hand out masks. "Couldn't be prouder of the community. Lot of passion, lot of respect. Everyone's ready to fix it — or try. We've got to start somewhere. This is a pretty good start." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Caylee Clarke, 27, of Melrose, was there "to support Black Lives Matter. I think it's really important." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Barbara Scanlan (right) and Peggy Newmark, of Melrose, were there "because Black Lives Matter." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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"I'm just here to listen." State Rep. Kate-Lipper Garabedian, alongside State Sen. Jason Lewis, on why she's at the rally. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Kaya had the same message as everyone else. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Abbie Savukoski, with her daughter Ruby: "We believe that everyone deserves to be shown love." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Navy veteran Jason Chen, 40, father of two. "If we don't fix this for black people now, they will start coming for Asians." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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David Valade, 59, of Melrose wasn't part of the rally. He's been doing this for a couple days. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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These girls came from Winthrop. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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This was the banner statement of the day. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Jenney Cheever, of Wakefield, has been bringing her son Theo to rallies since he was a little boy. It's paid off: Theo and Casey Tervalon (right) helped organize this one. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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The kids from Florence Street were there to be heard. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Martina and Maria Tramontozzi, of Melrose. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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(Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Avi, 4, of Melrose, has a message for everyone. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Elo Golhan, 21, Ian Quin, 22 and Connor Locke, 22. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Allie Grady and City Councilor Jack Eccles. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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The crowd stretched on an on. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Joshua and Sarah went "so that black children have the same opportunities my children have," Sarah said. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Eliandra, of Melrose, came from Africa in 2000. She brought her two girls to Sunday's rally. "I think it's been years of injustice." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Kyla Waring, 20, and Lynda Field, 56, of Melrose. Waring: "It's especially in important in Melrose, a privileged white community." She said she's sick of worrying about her black cousings. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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(Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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(Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Local talk show host Tom Catalini has a statement ... (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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... and a kind suggestion. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Sisters Kristyn Iovanni-Shaughnessy (left) and and Caitlyn Iovanni-Jones came from Tewksbury and New York, respectively. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Sam Knight was there support Black Lives Matter ... (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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... and his message didn't suck. (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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(Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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These Youle Street neighbors were there because, well, "It's "important!" (Mike Carraggi/Patch)
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Sean Audete and his family. "We're real upset about the way things are going and things need to change." (Mike Carraggi/Patch)

MELROSE, MA — From Main Street to well past Tremont Street, scores of people lined up along the Lynn Fells Parkway with one overriding message: Black Lives Matter.

The spirit of change behind the massive rallies and protests that have swept the country finally got its chance to sing in Melrose. Its sound was unmistakable.

Nearly everyone who attended the 'Stand Out For Racial Equality' was wearing a mask. Almost as many people brought signs signaling support for Black Lives Matter and George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other black victims killed recently — deaths that sparked national protests and calls for racial equality. Some also had signs denouncing police brutality, demanding reform and calling for justice.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Related: Eyeing Racial Equality, Melrose Begins Self-Evaluation

Above, see just some of the photos from Sunday's rally. Below, see one of the loudest few minutes of the rally: When everyone went completely silent.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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