Hundreds of people joined a peaceful vigil Monday night in Northport to remember the lives lost in encounters with police around the country.
Suffolk County Legislator William “Doc” Spencer spoke movingly of the steps needed to eliminate racism from society, and his own experiences as a black man.
“We all have a role to play if we wish to build bridges and create peace,” Spencer said. “We have seen the horrific acts of brutality but i challenge the notion that the fault simply rests with our police.”
The vigil was sponsored by Black Lives Matter Northport.
It was the latest in a series of at least 10 marches or protests around Huntington since the May 25 death of George Floyd after he was arrested by a Minneapolis police officer, who knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
State Sen. Jim Gaughran, Huntington Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman, Suffolk Legislator Jason Richberg and Northport Mayor Damon McMullen were among the elected officials who participated in the vigil.