Submitted by Rhea Miller

Lopezians started arriving silently in ones and twos. Then families with small children and groups of young people. All were masked and practicing social distancing, carrying offerings to honor black men and women whose lives have been taken by the violence of white supremacy.

Lopez citizens sculpted a memorial at the Lopez Center’s outdoor pavilion early evening on Friday, June 5. More than 250 participants brought handmade signs, art, flowers, mementos, poems, photos and other remembrances and placed them in the pavilion in honor of black lives. The evening was marked with reverence and reflection.

The items on display will remain until 5 p.m, Sunday, June 7, at which time participants can retrieve them. Remaining items will be removed at 7 p.m. Participants were offered a chance to sign a pledge to oppose white supremacy, a bibliography, and a list of what each white person can do at this time.

The display is lit throughout the night and stewarded.