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A crowd of more than 1,000 people went through Bristol Borough as part of a planned march againstracism, police brutality, and prejudice.

By 10 a.m. Saturday, hundreds gathered at the Bristol Borough Train Station where face masks, water, and sweets were handed out in advance of the march. A pastor spoke and organizers warmed the crowd up with dances and short remarks.

In sticky 85-degree weather and below sunny skies, theBlack Lives Matter Unified Peace Walk stepped off around 11 a.m. and marched through the borough, heading to the Harriet Tubman statue along the waterfront.

The marchers chanted Black Lives Matter, No Justice; No Peace, and I cant breathe as they went on their way. Neighbors handed out water bottles and drinks while showing solidarity with the large group along the route. Police led the way along with march organizers.

On Buckley Street, the group stopped for a short time.

The names of people of color who were killed by police were read through a microphone.

Say their name! a speaker yelled.

Once again we cant breathe. We cant breathe, man. We cant live. Let us see the fruits of our ancestor tree, she said.

The march continued to Bath Street and gathered for a short time at the corner of Mill Street and Old Route 13 for a short speech. One woman thanked the police for being there and read the Bristol Township Police Departments mission statement back to them.

It is the mission of the Bristol Township Police Department to serve all people with respect and integrity, while enhancing their quality of life. The department is committed to service through efficient and effective policing by working in partnership with the community, and in accordance with constitutional rights, to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide for a safe environment, she said, asking the officers to remember that message.

Bristol Borough and Bristol Township officers walked with the large crowd. Some officers were handed water by marchers and struck up conversations. A number of marchers were already friendly with local police and greeted the officers they knew.

Law enforcement from around the Levittown-area and the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team were on hand to provide traffic control and extra security. A New Jersey State Police boat hung near the waterfront during the event.

While the march was packed, many wore face masks and attempted to keep distance from others amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The march went on Mill Street and through the Mill Street Parking Lot before a short rally outside of theHarriet Tubman statue.

I challenge all of you to look around the room. That is the story of someone next to you that feels unheard. Not only in the courtroom, but in the classroom and at the basketball game and when they get stopped by the cops,saidBrittany McClain, of theFreedom Neighborhood One Community Center in Bristol Township.

You are enough, she told the crowd.

James Evans, the pastor at Norton Avenue First Baptist Church in Bristol Township, passionately told the group that a tsunami of justice, peace, home, and righteous is coming. He urged the crowd to unite.

George Floyd died so that we can stand.George Floyd died so we can make a difference in our community, he exclaimed.

Weve come too far, Evans chanted.

Louise Davis, who is a descendant of Harriet Tubman, read a poet at the rally. She said she was thrilled with the size of the crowd and their message at the moment.

Morris Derry, the founder of nonprofit No More Pain and one of the event organizers, led the crowd as they took a knee to mark Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police. In the large group of people, officers from Bristol Borough and Bristol Borough were spotted taking a knee with the marchers.

There was more people here than we expected, said Jamal Evans, Pastor Evans son and a leader of the march.

The past few weeks have made Jamal Evans frustrated and angry over Floyds killing and the violent reaction in some cities. He said recent events spurred him to move past talking and to inspire change.

I felt this would be perfect for brown and black communities, said Keevon Johnson, who helped lead the event.

After the march,McClain said recent events have shown a lack empathy and retraumatized people already suffering, adding that the crowd and support in Bristol Borough was impressive.

After tomorrow where do we go from here? We cant go back where we came from. Pastor Evans said.

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'Say Their Name:' Community Joins Together For Black Lives Matter Unified Peace Walk - levittownnow.com