Thousands came together for a peaceful protest in downtown Kitchener on Wednesday to protest anti-Black racism and police violence. 

In a massive show of solidarity for Black communities worldwide, up to 20,000 people showed up for KW Solidarity March for Black Lives, according to police.

My black life matters and I will fight for it! #blacklivesmattercanada #blacklivesmatter #BlackLivesMatterWR pic.twitter.com/7QjhPZecxe

— 𝚛𝚘 🧘🏾‍♀️ (@_rdrmm) June 4, 2020

The event was organized by Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region. 

(2/2) #BLM solidarity march today in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada #BlackLivesMatterWR #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/Xc3h3gI92n

— Beth Bowles (@angryelbows) June 4, 2020

The protest began in the evening, with Black and Indigenous speakers including MPP Laura Mae Lindo, who has talked about anti-Black racism as a public health crisis in Canada.

Amazing to see all the great support today at the Black Lives Matter Waterloo Solidarity March. It does not stop here, there is so much more we need to do to make changes!#blacklivesmattercanada #blm #BlackLivesMatterWR #kwsolidaritymarch pic.twitter.com/2jddJ5S5Zn

— Laszlo Alt (@LaszloAlt) June 4, 2020

It was led by Black community members who have recounted their own experiences with racism in the Kitchener community. 

#BLM solidarity march today in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada #BlackLivesMatterWR #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/rQSWmkRX7N

— Beth Bowles (@angryelbows) June 4, 2020

The mass of people, who were predominantly wearing masks and PPE, travelled through downtown Kitchener before sitting outside the old Charles Street Terminal and taking a moment of silence for the victims of police brutality. 

My mom took these pictures from a balcony on King Street West in downtown Kitchener, while my sister and I attended today’s Solidarity March for Black Lives Matter. #BlackLivesMatter @CTVKitchener @CityKitchener pic.twitter.com/VYdrqCS7qk

— Madison (@madisonmirade) June 3, 2020

Other people showed support from their cars by parking along the march route, honking and holding signs out of their windows. 

According to some organizers of the protest, they had received online threats, but the event went smoothly from beginning to end. 

In Kitchener for the KW Solidarity March for #BlackLivesMatter. pic.twitter.com/wQ2qtdPeeF

— Mark Pare (@MarkLPare) June 3, 2020

More protests are planned Canada-wise in response to protests worldwide, sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed by cops in Minnesota, as well as the killing of 29-year-old woman Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto.