On Friday afternoon, June 5th, a peaceful protest was organized in the Larchmont- Mamaroneck community to stand up against the police brutality and racism that has killed so many Black Americans. Organized by Mamaroneck High School students and spearheaded by Kayla Yan (’21) and alumna Dalia Yan, protesters marched from Mamaroneck Harbor Park to Flint Park where attendees listened to speeches in the pouring rain and kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds in honor of Minneapolis resident George Floyd who was shown dying in the video that sparked the string of protests.

Speakers included Dr. Martin and Dianne Lovett of OneMamaroneck, MHS student Jacinta Smith (’21), MHS alumna Y’Mani Pettiford, community member Kim Travezano, MHS Vice Principal Jenny Rodriguez, local business owner Maya Faye, and protest organizer Kayla Yan. Hundreds attended the protests, including families, county and town executives, and passionate high school students. Everyone wore masks due to the continued threat of Covid-19, but this did not damper the enthusiasm protesters had for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many could be spotted with supportive signs and chanting could be heard throughout the march, including phrases such as “hands up, don’t shoot” and “no justice, no peace.” Many were very moved by the event,  including MHS student Grace Holzman-Hansen (’22). She felt that “seeing everyone come together for change was really inspiring” and that this string of protests is “the beginning of a radical change.”

Although it may seem like the stem problem of racism is not present in Larchmont-Mamaroneck, Yan believes it is. She says, “Mamaroneck and Larchmont pride themselves and advertise their diversity,” but that kids within the district “struggle to accept the differences that make others unique” due to the separation of students in the elementary schools where many grow up with those who share similar socioeconomic backgrounds. She urges members of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community to push for change and continue the fight past the protest, “We were able to organize the protest using two cellphones and a laptop. We have the tools needed to create change. Anyone can do it.”