There was standing room only at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle as hundreds packed the muggy hall to hear words of praise and encouragement and messages of peace from local clergy and city leaders. The deaths of nine bible study members at the hands of a white supremacist terrorist hit very close to home for many and controversy over confederate flags and the burning of 7 black churches in the South stirred emotions and raised righteous anger. After the brief rally, demonstrators gathered outside and began the march, stopping at Mt. Calvary for a small rally and water break. After making their way to MLK Jr. Park, demonstrators gathered for another rally with music and additional messages from local clergy.

“Violence against and upon Black People must be stopped. The blind hatred toward People of Color has to come to an end. The extension of genocide that is being done to our people through mass incarceration; gentrification; police brutality; and vigilante violence is wrong, unethical, and anti-American. If we cannot feel safe in our own churches and homes, then where can we feel safe” – ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER: Solidarity March’ Facebook event