ASTORIA – Hundreds of protesters from all backgrounds and ages rallied on June 1 to protest peacefully in honor of George Floyd, who was killed by police. The organized candlelight vigil was held in Astoria Park in Queens, NY.

The crowds gathered and held signs with messages including “RIP George” and “Breathing in Heaven,” as well as “Black Lives Matter” and “Stop Killing Us.”

The diverse crowd chanted “Black lives matter” and cheered for the speakers who urged everyone to continue the struggle for change and an end to racism and hatred.

The protesters then placed their candles and signs by the Astoria Park War Memorial, with its inscription in granite, “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends- Erected 1926 by the people of Long Island City in honor of all their fellow citizens who served in the World War 1914-1918.”