Black Lives Matter to Quincy Residents

– Quincy News from Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Quincy Black Lives Matter vigil attendees
A Quincy Quarry News exclusive image

Black Lives Matter to Quincy residents.

Quincy property, however, looked to matter more to City Hall officials and nearby property owners given a considerable police presence of not only the Quincy officers, but also a number of officers from Braintree, Milton, the MBTA, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department, and Weymouth along with a number of National Guard troops in full field gear.

In turn, juxtaposing this considerable show of force, the vigil was a peaceful and respectful event. 

It was also even a relatively quiet one as vigil organizers had an underpowered portable loudspeaker.

Black Lives Matter to all sorts of folks
A Quincy Quarry News image

While Quincy Quarry views the South Shore broadsheet’s reporting of 4,500 attendees in Quincy Square as perhaps a bit optimistic, there is no doubt that the vigil was at least as comparably well-attended as was the gala – if not also over the top – dedication of Kim Jung Koch Plaza almost two years.

In any event, while a number of nearby businesses were boarded up, what was more striking to Quincy Quarry was how the crowd was substantially – if not mostly – a white bread and mayo gathering of mostly workaday folk.

Closed up care of the pandemic and now boarded up
Conjoined Quincy Quarry exclusive images

.

A diverse range of attendees with their backs to City Hall
A Quincy Quarry News exclusive photo

On the other hand, could have only been expected given that the vigil was organized by diverse local interests as well as that a number of local priests and ministers were adjacent to the event’s microphone on the steps of the United First Parish Church, better known as the Church of the Presidents.

At the same time, Quincy Quarry found it telling, however perhaps unintended, that with the focal point for the event on the steps of the Presidents Church that attendees had their backs to both of Quincy’s City Hall.

Do Black Lives Matter to the mayor?
A Quincy Quarry News exclusive image

Then again, it is only fair to note that Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch was nowhere to be seen at what was a memorial vigil even if his favorite sister the even more diminutive Sister Olga was seen fearlessly moving out and about, albeit looking to be have been provided with an apparent police escort.

Also nowhere to be seen but was perhaps lurking on scene somewhere or other but more likely safely behind the walls of police headquarters was Quincy Police Chief Paul “The Beav” Keenan and who is surely but coincidentally one of the mayor’s brothers-in-law.

The proud father and uncle
A Quincy Police Department photo

Chiel Keenan runs a police force with but one Black officer among its ranks with a second one pending his successful completion of police academy, 

Conversely, The Beav has a son in the police department as well as a manner of a niece.

Further, one of his nephews who is surely but coincidentally the son of the mayor is currently attending police academy and thus expected to be joining the force shortly.

After all, what are family and friends for if not taking care of their own, not to mention that such is the true Quincy Way.

Only in the Q …
A Bing Crosby Productions image

In any event, a Quincy Police Department Captain was overhead saying while talking on a cellphone during the vigil that he was Sergeant Schultz and knew nothing.

Knowing what the Quarry knows about this otherwise well-meaning senior officer, choking back guffaws was quite an effort. 

Fortunately, wearing a mandatory mask helped.

That and quickly moving into the crowd – well into the crowd.

No Bud for you
A Quincy Quarry News exclusive image

Worst of all, however, was how Quincy package stores appear to have been subjected to an early closing order on top of the fact that local watering holes are still closed given COVID-19 pandemic emergency orders by Beacon Hill.

In particular, given that after the speeches on the steps of the Presidents Church, many vigil attendees then took a long warm evening peaceful march along Hancock Street to Wollaston and then onto banging a right on BIllings Road, it would have been nice to sit on the front stoop after the vigil ended and enjoy a cold beer or three while chilling.

An O’Mahoney/Patriot Ledger image

Also unfortunate, Quincy Quarry was unable to confirm if the Quincy Police had cordoned off Felton Street at BIllings or if the marchers just did not know to make their way to make their way to Newbury Avenue and so be able to make their presence known to an MIA mayor on their way to the North Quincy MBTA T station to then head home or back to their rides in Quincy Center.

QQ disclaimer