wvv we speak sabatino • español Congratulations • portuguêse insurance agency • italiano Rocco Longo all types of insurance! • auto • home • rental • flood • business • commercial 617-387-7466EHS | 564Class Broadway, of Everett 2020!!! | sabatino-ins.com Everett IndependentPublished by the Independent Newspaper Co. Wednesday, June 10, 2020 EHS CLASS OF 2020 DeMaria, Council call Drive-in Graduation on review of police an historic moment of celebration for policies and key changes Class of 2020 By Seth Daniel temic racism has to be with action – not words. By Seth Daniel As traditional policing “The senseless killing Graduation commence- strategies and policies have of George Floyd is a result ments are by nature special, come under the microscope of a failure in policy and but over time they tend to in the wake of several black oversight by a system that run together and don’t stick people around the country needs review and reform,” out for being unique from being killed by police in he said. “Inherent racism year to year. the last few months, Ever- against persons of color That will never be said ett officials this week it is resulting in violence and of the 2020 Everett High time to understand policing death are unacceptable. We School Commencement – policies in Everett and how reject and condemn police the drive-in graduation that they need to change. brutality and racism in the exceeded everyone’s ex- From the top down, it strongest terms. This is a pectations and truly brought was clear this week that the time to act. How we act the schools and community status quo isn’t acceptable. will be a reflection on the together in a way that is of- Mayor Carlo DeMaria lessons we choose to see, Drive Through Graduation was an abso- released a statement last what we choose to listen ten only seen on the foot- lute success as families cruised through weekend saying that the to, and how we can better ball field. the parking lots on Lower Broadway understand the issues we “It’s a spectacle and it’s watching students walk across the stage, response to events local- spectacular,” said Supt. Pri- gather gifts, and take a family picture ly and nationally when it face.” ya Tahiliani – who was busy – all in a safe manner with social distanc- comes to policing and sys- See REVIEW Page 3 all day walking the Lower ing. Broadway parking lots set up for the commencement. Eating out It was her first Everett commencement to boot. Several of restaurants could be permitted and “I didn’t know if it would come together,” she said. open by end of the week for outdoor dining “There were so many ob- By Seth Daniel from restaurants and eat- stacles. Many of the busi- eries in the City on out- nesses that were vendors Everett restaurants and door dining,” said Sousa. weren’t even open. They eateries could be up and “We’ve had 20 inquiries stepped it up and delivered and a dozen applications Sisters Rosemary (front) running outdoors by the the things like balloons so end of this week, said City we’re reviewing now. By quickly. This has come to- and Michelle Bonilla sat on top of their cars as they officials who have been the end of Tuesday, we ex- gether wonderfully.” working long hours to pre- pect half of those applicants Graduation had been a passed by the stations in Saturday’s drive-through pare regulations for open- to be permitted and ready focal point since the schools ing safely under Phase II to go. This is a tremendous closed suddenly on March graduation ceremonies. The innovative COVID-19 ap- – which became official on opportunity for restau- 12, not to re-open the rest State Sen. Sal DiDomenico, State Rep. Joe McGonagle, Monday, June 8. rants and eateries…Prior of the year. That was a de- proach to graduation was a hit with students, families Teacher Julie Tran, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, and Teacher Mike Planning Director Tony to COVID-19, we saw it as and the community. Messina. Sousa said that although an opportunity – and it was See GRADUATION Page 7 they had a lukewarm re- always the Mayor’s vision sponse to such ideas a year – to elevate the streetscape ago when they put out the and support small business- feelers on outdoor dining in es and create more appeal the downtown and business in Everett Square and other corridors, this time around areas.” Scores of residents turn out for they are getting a huge re- Gov. Charlie Baker an- sponse and one that they nounced on Saturday, June hope will last beyond the 6, that outdoor dining could peaceful, youth-led vigil against racism COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re getting a tremen- See DINING Page 3 By Seth Daniel turned out for a black youth- brutality and racism in the But beyond the genesis dous amount of response led vigil Sunday night that community and around the of the vigil, the purpose More than 150 residents drew attention to police country – an in-person vigil was to peacefully inform that was in response to the the community about how City’s online vigil last week black people in Everett are that some youth organizers really feeling, particularly felt didn’t convey the right the young folks between message for black residents. the ages of 15 and 30. Many “It is important every- said they had grown up in one is here for us so we Everett, and some shared have things for us and by negative experiences they us,” said organizer Fanel- have had in the community son Monexant. “Without and with the police. They that, we will be silenced. In said it is something they times of crisis, we see our want to stop hand in hand voices trivialized. We see with members of all rac- NO MORE WAITING IN LINE people speak for us.” es aligned along the same Sabine Jacques said there cause. Why wait in line at the Registry of Motor Vehicles were many who thought the However, without them when you can insure and register your vehicle at the young people couldn’t have being out in front and lead- same place? At the Francis J. LaRovere Insurance a protest or vigil without vi- ing it, the worry is that their Agency, Inc. you can insure and register your olence or trouble. She said voices and experiences vehicle at the same location. We offer issuance of that was something folks – at times uncomfortable license plates, transfer of registrations, and renewal should think about. for some - will be watered of registrations to all of our valued clientele, even “There were concerns down or minimized. after the Registry is closed and on Saturdays. Please about having this vigil to- “This isn’t about blacks call today to schedule an appointment. day,” she said. “Check your against whites or blacks implicit biases Everett… against the cops,” said Car- PHOTO BY SETH DANIEL F.J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. Chedwina Figaro looks up at family friend Nehemie St. Lou- Check your racism Ever- olina Penaflor. “It’s about ett. We are constantly being everyone against racism. 492 Broadway is during an eight minute and 46 second moment of silence Everett, MA 02149 during the Black youth vigil planned for Sunday evening spoken for as if we aren’t We’re not trying to start a race war; we’re trying to in Glendale Park to speak out against police brutality and experts of our own truth. 617-387-9700 to remember those black people who have been killed by I’m sorry, but that online end one.” law enforcement nationally in recent years. The time was vigil was a disgrace. No The vigil featured a Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm intended to allow young people of color to tell their stories one from the communi- tasteful and simple array of and experiences in combatting racism and prejudice in ty was asked to be part of photos of black people who Check out our NEW website! Everett. The peaceful vigil lasted about two hours, and in- it. This is community. Our had been shot and killed by www.larovere.com cluded the moment of silence, which is the amount of time voices, our breath and our Quote your policy online! George Floyd was held down by Minneapolis (MN) Police lives matter.” See VIGIL Page 20 before he became unresponsive. Everett High School Graduation Special Section See pages 10-15 For the latest news in Everett that you need to know, check everettindependent.com Page 2 The Everett Independent • Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Phone: 617-387-9600 Fax: 781-485-1403 Everett community hold online vigil to remember George Floyd, talk about addressing structural racism By Seth Daniel nity shares. I consider some members of the black com- Several City leaders and munity to be some of my members from the black closest and dearest friends. faith community in Ev- Being a white man…it’s a erett joined Mayor Carlo hard issue to talk about. I DeMaria and Councilor don’t know what to say to Gerly Adrien on June 2 for black friends of mine or a virtual online vigil to re- the black community…It is member George Floyd and time we step up and make to discuss the changes that the changes they deserve.” need to begin to address Councilor Gerly Adrien Mayor Carlo DeMaria moderated the vigil on June 2. structural racism in Ever- said there are many rea- Bishop Robert Brown, of Zion Ministries, said it is time to ett – whether it be with the sons why black and brown stop talking, and start walking.