Hundreds of people are gathering in Stuart Park for a rally in support of the black community in Kelowna.
Organized by two black women Paige Harrison and Kermisha Pereira, the rally is meant to be peaceful and bring light to the ongoing protests in the U.S.
Many came out to supoort the Black Lives Matter rally in Kelowna.
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The protests started last week after an unarmed black man, George Floyd, died in Minnesota police custody. Some protests have turned into violent riots.
Harrison and Pereira emphasized Friday香蕉视频直播檚 event is a peaceful protest and all they want is to give people a chance to have an open conversation about people of colour香蕉视频直播檚 experiences.
Harrison took to the mic at the beginning of the rally to thank residents for attending.
香蕉视频直播淚 really appreciate all the support. I know there was a little bit of controversy (earlier), but I香蕉视频直播檓 so glad that we stuck with the root of this peaceful protest, and that is to unite and not to divide,香蕉视频直播� she said.
The 香蕉视频直播渃ontroversy香蕉视频直播� she was speaking about was the displeasure of some local black and Indigenous groups in Kelowna who said they do not support the event.
Hearth, an association of black and Indigenous women, posted they didn香蕉视频直播檛 support the rally because 香蕉视频直播渋t was founded without the consultation, consent, or leadership of the larger black community in the Okanagan and also the First Nations who govern these territories.香蕉视频直播�
Despite the backlash, Pereira and Harrison said they were very grateful for the support and the turnout.
香蕉视频直播淚 couldn香蕉视频直播檛 ask for a better turnout. We had a few people this morning trying to sabotage us, but this (turnout) is amazing. I honestly cannot find the words,香蕉视频直播� Pereira said.
香蕉视频直播淭his is more than us. This is more than a protest. This is changing people香蕉视频直播檚 lives.香蕉视频直播�
They said they can香蕉视频直播檛 give specifics as to what triggered the backlash.
香蕉视频直播淚t could be a couple of reasons, but we don香蕉视频直播檛 want to insinuate anything香蕉视频直播� the only thing I can say, and speaking on behalf of Kermisha, is that we really wish that they were all here and supporting,香蕉视频直播� Harrison said.
香蕉视频直播淭hey would香蕉视频直播檝e been a part of it just as much as anybody else would香蕉视频直播檝e been.香蕉视频直播�
Black Lives Matter rally underway in downtown Kelowna.
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While many of those who are gathered in Stuart Park are wearing masks, the recommended six-feet of social distancing, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is not being adhered to by all due to the number of people in the area.
READ MORE: Community backlash over Black Lives Matter rally in Kelowna
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