Several Indian Americans from Burlington took part in a vigil in honor of Black Lives Matter and victims of police brutality on Tuesday June 9th. Over 600 people attended the event. The event was organized by the Burlington Clergy that included Ranjani Saigal of Lokvani. Members of Saheli, Gouri Banerjee, Divya Chaturvedi, Rita and Rajesh Shah, Ramila and Praful Thakkar, Anil Saigal, Aarushi and others attended the event.
Ranjani Saigal led the clergy in a Hindu prayer before dispersing for the vigil. The vigil started at 5:00 pm and at 5:30 everyone took a knee for 8 min 46 sec, the time that the police had a knee on the neck of George Floyd before Mr. Floyd died. “I never realized how long 8 min 46 sec is†said Ramila Thakkar who took the knee with all the others. “I believe change is comingâ€.
The two sides of Cambridge Street was lined with people who held signs showing their support for the movement. The Burlington Clergy group is diverse group with members from Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and several Christian denominations. The group meets once a month and discusses issues of faith based service to the Burlington Community.
The attendees were filled with hope for a brighter future as they came together with so many like minded people. It truly is a special time in America and we hope justice will prevail.
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