Rochester rally against racism was a chance to learn, share

Eventgoers, many carrying signs decrying racism, listen during a prayer said by the Rev. Eliza Tweedy, pastor of the First Church Congregational, United Church of Christ in Rochester. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Allies United for Change held its first big event on Sunday, a rally at the Rochester Common to support Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ community.

Renee Napolitano, one of the founders of the newly formed advocacy group, said she was happy with the crowd of some 250 who spread out on the Common, many on blankets or soccer chairs.

Under a mostly sunny sky, speakers got up one by one to describe the sometimes subtle forms of racism they deal with on a daily basis.

Meaghan O'Brian, with daughter Sophie at Sunday's rally.

Jamie Perkins, a longtime Rochester resident, small business owner and co-founder of Allies United for Change, said racism sometimes manifests itself in "micro aggressions, little things that are supposed to be digs." She said it happens often to marginalized people like gays and lesbians, too.

"If we don't speak up, we're part of the problem," she said.

Another speaker was Sophie O'Brian, 14, who is entering Spaulding High School as a freshman this fall and is the face of Rochester restaurant Little Miss Sophie's.

She said she first felt the sting of racism in kindergarten.

Her mom, Meaghan O'Brian, said she was very proud of her daughter's decision to speak at the rally.

Amy Lemelin of Rochester said she came to the rally to "get educated" about racism.

"I want to get some more tools in the toolbox to be a good ally to fight racism," Lemelin said.