Black Lives Matter, Seal Beach

We were fortunate today on our ride to Seal Beach. Lunch from the Pierside Press finished up just in time for us to walk on over to the other side of the pier (Eisenhower Park), where the vantage of the comings and goings of cyclists is much more advantageous to the taking of photos. Within a matter of minutes people began to converge - old, young, individuals and families, many carrying signs promoting unity, peace, and justice. Turns out the daily Black Lives Matter vigil was set to begin. But first, a man sitting at the nearby benches came over and, quite unexpectedly, led the gathered in a short round of "We Shall Overcome," before cheering everyone, and admonishing all to learn the lines by next week. Ha, ha. A couple preliminary speeches transitioned into the main speech by a local pastor who, incidentally (so I was led to understand) had avoided becoming involved until his house was vandalized by, and I will be generous in my choice of words - socially inept and conscience devoid individuals. The vigil finished up with eight minutes, forty-six seconds of silent kneeling.

What's it about? Again, this is what I overheard: Seal Beach, not unsurprisingly I suppose, is not the most diverse community around, but the residents there, those who organize this vigil, have felt compelled to express their solidarity with, and concern about, the issues of discrimination and hatred that unequally affect people of color. For this one day at least, we felt fortunate to be a part of that. 

I believe the eight minutes, forty-six seconds of kneeling takes place each day at noon, begins and ends with the sound of a gong. Sundays, as did today, may include a speaker as well.

beginning to gather

fog was still pretty thick when we got down there

bike riding chair

what is the important number on the sign today...?

yup, twenty degrees cooler than home

not the first time, not the last time lunch took us to the Pierside Press

Go Gauchos!

on the phone; i'm not surprised

beach

i could swear i got more film of the talk, but i find it kind of coincidental that the part i did get is something that i have seen many people complaining about lately