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Williamstown To Begin Weekly Anti-Racism Vigils

A group of people with colorful signs stand at a rotary
Josh Landes
/
WAMC
A demonstration at Field Park in Williamstown, Massachusetts on June 5th, 2020

Williamstown, Massachusetts community groups have united to put on a weekly anti-racism vigil.

The First Congregational Church in Williamstown is partnering with Greylock Together, a social justice group in Northern Berkshire County, to hold the vigils. Rachel Payne, the church’s pastoral intern, says they will allow the community to mourn those lost to police brutality, like George Floyd, whose death in Minneapolis police custody set off international protests.

“In addition to mourning and reflection, it’s an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to the work of confronting white supremacy and changing our community so it’s a place where all people can thrive,” she told WAMC.

The vigils will be Fridays at 5 p.m. at Field Park and are currently scheduled to run into the fall.

Josh Landes has been WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief since February 2018, following stints at WBGO Newark and WFMU East Orange. A passionate advocate for Western Massachusetts, Landes was raised in Pittsfield and attended Hampshire College in Amherst, receiving his bachelor's in Ethnomusicology and Radio Production. His free time is spent with his cat Harry, experimental electronic music, and exploring the woods.
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