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Hundreds of people are gathering in Stuart Park for a rally in support of the black community in Kelowna.

Organized by two black women Paige Harrison and Kermisha Pereira, the rally is meant to be peaceful and bring light to the ongoing protests in the U.S.

Many came out to supoort the Black Lives Matter rally in Kelowna.

乌鸦传媒� twila m amato (@twilamam)

The protests started last week after an unarmed black man, George Floyd, died in Minnesota police custody. Some protests have turned into violent riots.

Harrison and Pereira emphasized Friday乌鸦传媒檚 event is a peaceful protest and all they want is to give people a chance to have an open conversation about people of colour乌鸦传媒檚 experiences.

Harrison took to the mic at the beginning of the rally to thank residents for attending.

乌鸦传媒淚 really appreciate all the support. I know there was a little bit of controversy (earlier), but I乌鸦传媒檓 so glad that we stuck with the root of this peaceful protest, and that is to unite and not to divide,乌鸦传媒� she said.

The 乌鸦传媒渃ontroversy乌鸦传媒� she was speaking about was the displeasure of some local black and Indigenous groups in Kelowna who said they do not support the event.

Hearth, an association of black and Indigenous women, posted they didn乌鸦传媒檛 support the rally because 乌鸦传媒渋t was founded without the consultation, consent, or leadership of the larger black community in the Okanagan and also the First Nations who govern these territories.乌鸦传媒�

Despite the backlash, Pereira and Harrison said they were very grateful for the support and the turnout.

乌鸦传媒淚 couldn乌鸦传媒檛 ask for a better turnout. We had a few people this morning trying to sabotage us, but this (turnout) is amazing. I honestly cannot find the words,乌鸦传媒� Pereira said.

乌鸦传媒淭his is more than us. This is more than a protest. This is changing people乌鸦传媒檚 lives.乌鸦传媒�

They said they can乌鸦传媒檛 give specifics as to what triggered the backlash.

乌鸦传媒淚t could be a couple of reasons, but we don乌鸦传媒檛 want to insinuate anything乌鸦传媒� the only thing I can say, and speaking on behalf of Kermisha, is that we really wish that they were all here and supporting,乌鸦传媒� Harrison said.

乌鸦传媒淭hey would乌鸦传媒檝e been a part of it just as much as anybody else would乌鸦传媒檝e been.乌鸦传媒�

Black Lives Matter rally underway in downtown Kelowna.

乌鸦传媒� michael rodriguez, but a little farther away (@MichaelRdrguez)

While many of those who are gathered in Stuart Park are wearing masks, the recommended six-feet of social distancing, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is not being adhered to by all due to the number of people in the area.

READ MORE: Community backlash over Black Lives Matter rally in Kelowna

READ MORE: 乌鸦传媒業t乌鸦传媒檚 in the looks people give乌鸦传媒�: Kelowna women use shared experiences to combat racism