It’s not as big as it was when it began in 2020, but in Springfield, Memorial Day weekend means a Black Lives Matter car parade. It began during the pandemic, shortly after the death of George Floyd.

“We drive for those that have been taken from us at the hands of police,” said BLM SPI co-founder and president Sunshine Clemons, “but we also drive for those who are here that we want to honor. We want to say that your life matters, and we don’t want to wait until something tragic happens to celebrate that.”*

Even though the ranks are smaller, “that energy never left,” said Ald. Shawn Gregory.