Dozens of people joined Hilo faith leaders Friday in a walk supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
To celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, the Interfaith Communities in Action called people of all faiths — and even those with no faith — to participate in the walk of solidarity for BLM.
The peaceful demonstration, called the “Walk in Witness to Dismantle Systemic Racism,” began at the King Kamehameha statue and ended at the Hale Kaulike court complex.
“We realize that many faith traditions have contributed to systemic racism, and we want to change that in our lifetimes,” Rabbi Rachel Short said. “We are coming together today to make noise, be loud and say enough is enough.”
Participants marched together with signs and chanted as they walked to the corner of Aupuni Street and Kilauea Avenue.
Interfaith Communities in Action leaders paused for music and to present statements from a dozen faith leaders. Participants continued chanting as cars driving by honked in solidarity.
“We are calling on local leaders to commit to changing policies, laws and structures that support systemic racism, police brutality and white supremacy,” Short said. “We want our Black and indigenous brothers and sisters to know we stand in solidarity.”
Afterward, many peaceful protesters joined a separate demonstration at the corner of Makaala Street and Mamalahoa Highway for Black Lives Matter.
Esperanza Figueroa organized the protest and said she is working on starting the first Black Lives Matter chapter in Hawaii.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com