Local Senior Living Facility Honors George Floyd and Supports Black Lives Matter with Demonstration

Alexandria, VA — Last Tuesday, June 9, Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads held an organization-wide demonstration to honor George Floyd and support Black Lives Matter.

The event was organized by Silver Panther Huddles, a resident-led activist group that grew out of the January 2017 Women’s March on Washington, and was attended by over 200 residents and staff members at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads.

At 3:15 p.m., resident Margaret Sullivan gave a brief welcome to the crowd, followed by a call to silence. A bell rang, and residents and staff maintained 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence, the amount of time George Floyd’s neck was knelt on. The bell rang again to end the silence, and participants chanted “SAY HIS NAME” “George Floyd” several times. Many participants also carried signs in support of Black Lives Matter.

Many of the Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads residents were active in the Civil Rights demonstrations in the early ‘60s, but because of the social distancing restrictions, residents were unable to travel to participate in the national protests in Arlington and downtown D.C.

Tuesday’s demonstration was organized for residents to stand in solidarity with those nationally honoring George Floyd and speaking out against police violence.