Anti-racism protesters march down York Boulevard, rally at Hamilton City Hall

Hundreds of peaceful protesters closed a stretch of York Boulevard as they marched to Hamilton City Hall Saturday afternoon calling out racism and injustice.

Chants of Black lives matter" and no justice, no peace, no racist police," rang out in the crowd, many who carried signs calling to defund the police.

The march began at Dundurn Castle, where organizers handed out water, snacks, signs and masks for anyone who didn't have their own. As the crowd walked, passing supporters held signs and honked horns. Hamilton police, standing back, blocked traffic.

It was the second March for Black lives event in Hamilton, at its height drawing together more than 200 people including young families and people from diverse backgrounds. At city hall people shared personal stories of racism, but also called for a better future where everyone can move forward together. Messages were shared through dance and song and poetry, including performers from Indigenous communities.

Speaking to the crowd, organizer Amani Williams said this is not a trend."

Her marches and others like it need to keep going. They're not going to stop, she said.

She read out the names of people who died or who were hurt in violent encounters with police, including cases in the United States and other communities in Ontario. In each case she called for the crowd to say their name.

Shame," the crowd chanted.

Say their name, the list is too long," the crowd chanted.

Williams pointed to the case of Dafonte Miller - blinded in one eye during an assault by an off-duty Toronto police officer. On Friday that officer was found guilty of the lesser offence of assault and his brother, Christian Theriault, was acquitted.

This is not justice," Williams told the crowd.

This is what systemic racism looks like."

In an interview with The Spectator, Amani, a 23-year-old Black woman, said she was inspired to organize her own rallies after attending two recent anti-black racism protests. She said she loved the feeling at those events, but wanted to create one that was more about unity and spark genuine dialogue between the Black community and others.

The killing of George Floyd sparked something not just in the Black community, but all communities," she said.

During the rally there were moments where people were overcome with emotion while speaking and other moments of joy and dancing. Williams said people have told her the protests are like therapy."

She wanted a platform where everyone could speak, and it was particularly important to include Indigenous voices.

Nathan Tharontakste Muir and his partner Dylan Rae Wulf spoke about the connection between Black and Indigenous communities and the need for them to stand together.

We're really astonished with the turnout," Muir said about the size and energy of the crowd.

Wulf said it was really important to get the Black and Indigenous communities together. She spoke about the communities shared histories of being enslaved and also how many people are mixed race - Wulf herself is Black, white and Indigenous.

One of the ways best ways to combat racism is eduction and understanding," she said in an interview with The Spectator.

Both Muir and Wulf were moved by the unity of the crowd, but also say action is needed.

During the rally several speakers spoke about the National Inquiry into Missing and Murder Indigenous Women and Girls - the final report came out a year ago and little has happened.

No more stolen sisters," the crowd chanted.

Wulf said what is really needed is a system of accountability" that includes police and the government.

The only way forward is to admit the mess that we're in," she said.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com