The historic Cathedral of St. John the Divine has set up a “Vigil for Black Lives” on its steps Friday as New York City enters the second week of demonstrations against police brutality.
“As protests against police brutality continue across the nation, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine joins the New York City community in calling for an end to racist violence and mourning the loss of Black lives at a prayer vigil this Friday,” the church wrote on its website.
The vigil, set to begin at 6 p.m., will bring the church’s clergy, members of its congregation and others who want to attend to the front steps to read the names of black people who have been killed to “pray a litany of repentance.” All who attend the gathering will be encouraged to take a knee, raise a fist, or make another gesture of protest and solidarity, the church said.
“At a time when so many people, in New York City and around the country, are devastated by the events of the past few days, weeks, and months, the Cathedral stands as witness to this moment, proclaiming a message at the center of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: that Black Lives Matter,” they wrote.
Another flyer for the vigil online says that the group will then walk to the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. statue, which stands near 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.
Another vigil is scheduled for the 125th Street corner earlier in the day for Breonna Taylor, a black Louisville EMT killed by police in March in her home. That vigil, in honor of Taylor’s birthday, will be held at 3 p.m.
The demonstrations mark the ninth day that protests have gripped New York City and the nation following the death of Minnesota man George Floyd after a police officer — who has since been charged with murder— knelt on his neck.
Other demonstrations planned for Friday include protests at Washington Square Park at 4 p.m., in Sunset Park at 5 p.m., at 427 86th St. in Brooklyn at 5:30 p.m. and at 1 p.m. at Poe Park in the Bronx. Vigils for Breonna Taylor will also be held at Grand Army Plaza at 2 p.m. and at Queensbridge Park at 6:30 p.m.
Other events include a “Black Tie Walk” in Fort Greene Park at 1 p.m., a “prayer and protest” at the Barclays Center at 1:15 p.m. and a Black Lives Matter Vigil at McCarren Park at 7 p.m., according to posts online.
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