Joining protests across the country and around the world, a crowd of about 150 people gathered peacefully on the Norfolk village green on Sunday, June 8, to demonstrate against the systemic racism suffered by African Americans in the United States.

Participants wore masks, and most observed social distancing guidelines. Many carried signs proclaiming “Black Lives Matter,” deploring recent acts of police brutality, calling for change in the provision of public safety and naming the black victims of recent acts of violence: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.

There were chants as well as sign waving, directed mainly at the vehicles passing on Route 44. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the occupants responded with a wave or a cheering beep of the horn, but there were also drivers who responded with angry retorts.

During the protest, many in the crowd appeared to be renewing social ties to friends and acquaintances they hadn’t seen for ten weeks. At one point, a pair of Norfolk residents serenaded the crowd with a trumpet duet, “Lean on Me,” raising a general chorus of song.