Parents, Children Rally in Manhattan Beach to 'Pop The Bubble' Of Racism
Jun 06, 2020 04:20PM ● By Jeanne FratelloA rally on Saturday morning at the Manhattan Beach Pier drew more than 600 parents and children calling for an end to racism.
The "Pop The Bubble Of Racism" event was peaceful and uplifting as attendees created bubbles with bubble wands and waved signs.
Dubbed "the soccer mom event" because it was organized by local moms and drew many local families through a network of soccer teams, the gathering featured mostly young children as speakers.
"We are so overwhelmingly happy," said organizer and Manhattan Beach resident Lisa Bennett. "There were so many more people than we were expecting."
Bennett said that she hopes that families' takeaway from the event would be to find ways to take "tangible, meaningful action."
A large board on the wall by the pier gave children and adults to make pledges for the future such as "I pledge to speak up when someone uses a racial slur," "I pledge to stand up to a family member who uses a negative stereotype," and "I pledge to make more friends of different ethnicities."
Police had closed down Manhattan Beach Blvd. west of Manhattan Ave., but aside from a lone police car blocking off the street, there was nowhere near the police presence that there had been at Tuesday's demonstration.
"I'm just so happy," said Bennett. "Our hearts are full."
A paddle-out in memory of George Floyd - one of many happening in the area over the week - took place just beyond the pier at the same time as this morning's rally.
To follow the organizers, who call themselves "Four Diverse Moms," visit their site on Instagram at PopTheBubble2020.
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