Manhattan Beach Protest Set For Saturday at MB Pier
Five youths with ties to Manhattan Beach will be the featured speakers at a protest designed for kids tomorrow (Saturday, June 6) when “'Pop the Bubble’ on Racism: A Peaceful Protest for Children” takes place at 9 a.m. at the base of the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Organized by four self-described soccer moms, what began as a way to let their kids express their feelings about racism in a safe place has grown beyond their wildest dreams with about 400 people predicted to attend, Melissa A. Robinson-Chavez told MB Patch Friday.
“The whole point is to give our kids a voice,” said Robinson-Chavez, whose 11-year-old daughter Claudia Yvonne Chavez will speak. “They can walk, they can walk peacefully, they can have a voice."
Other speakers include Ameena Campbell, a 14-year-old Mira Costa High School student; Noah Francois, a 12-year-old American Martyrs School student; Sophia Alexander, a 12-year-old Manhattan Beach Middle School student, and Yasmina Alexander, a 10-year-old Meadows Elementary School student.
“I'm so proud of my girlfriends in Manhattan Beach,” said Robinson-Chavez, who lived in the city several years ago. “They were the ones saying, ‘Let’s do it here.’
Designed for kids, the protest will include bottles of bubble solution and wands for bubble making as they gather, chant, and march. One of the kid-friendly chants will be “Pop the bubble for peace!" among others.
In addition, to help reinforce what they experience at the event, kids will be given pledge cards they can sign and use to remind themselves to do something like “meet a new friend of color. We want to challenge people to act upon what they’ve experienced," said Robinson-Chavez.
“The whole thing is to be uplifting, peaceful, and for kids to come together. This is about children and for children. No scary chants.”
With word about the kids protest spreading like wildfire, Robinson-Chavez said many people have offered support and are bringing bottles of water and other goodies for participants.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department is aware of the protest and Robinson-Chavez said police will have a presence. Participants are asked to wear face masks due to COVID-19.
"'Pop the Bubble' on Racism: A Peaceful Protest for Children" will start with folks gathering around 9 a.m. At 9:15 a.m., the kids who are speaking will begin. At 9:45 a.m. (or when the speakers are through), the kids will walk to the border of Hermosa Beach and back. At 10:30 a.m., event organizers will let people know where they can find “purposeful tools” on empathy, a recommended book list, and ideas for places to donate to. There will be time for conversation, as well. Robinson-Chavez said the hashtag #popthebubble2020 on Instagram will feature resources people can use moving forward.
“I’m really proud of Manhattan Beach for stepping up,” said Robinson-Chavez. “I’m excited about tomorrow.”
This article originally appeared on the Manhattan Beach Patch
