Hundreds gathered in Canby's Wait Park on the evening of Thursday, June 4, at a vigil for George Floyd and others who have died as a result of racism.

They held candles and signs that said, "Black lives matter," "Say their names" and "White silence = white consent," among others.

Community member Sara Hepler addressed the crowd, saying, "For the last nine minutes of this vigil when I ring a bell, mourn for those who cannot jog through a neighborhood, for those who cannot birdwatch or barbecue in a park just like this one in peace and for the ones that cannot breathe."

The whole crowd knelt when Hepler rang the bell.

Canby Police Chief Bret Smith earlier in the week had condemned the actions of the four Minneapolis police officers whose actions allegedly led to the death of Floyd on May 25, according to an interview with Canby Now Podcast.

Superintendent Trip Goodall also spoke out in a letter to the school community.

"During these polarizing moments, children look toward us to guide them," Goodall said. "It is our responsibility to try to create a better world for them—and for one another. Too many people have suffered from injustices, racism and economic instability for too long.

"No person should ever walk in fear due to the color of their skin," he said.

"Recent incidents of violence toward African Americans have outraged all of us," he continued, adding, "It is on all of us to end the systemic oppression, racism and injustice that has sadly been part of the American experience for far too long."

Kristen Wohlers
Reporter
503-263-7512
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