Following presidential election, taking a stand for love in DUMBO

Hundreds converge in Brooklyn Bridge Park

November 17, 2016 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Hundreds of families gathered in Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO Wednesday night for a “non-political” event meant to show love and support during this uncertain time following the presidential election.

Local officials spoke about keeping America free and folksingers sang songs like “Down by the Riverside” and “This Land Is Our Land.” Kids created art projects led by Creatively Wild and ate pizza.

The event was organized by moms from Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO — neighborhoods that leaned strongly toward Hillary Clinton.

“After the election we were all sort of huddled up in one of our friend’s apartments trying to figure out what it is that we were going to do, and we felt like what the world really needed was more love — for each other, for the community, for our country,” said Amanda Jones, mother of two kids ages 3 and 4.

“And we just don’t see enough of it on TV … and our children can’t really participate in a lot of the things that are happening, and this is something they can do and that we can do as a family to say, ‘We’re taking a stand for love,’” she added. Jones was one of the event’s organizers, along with Heights resident Tara Sparks.

Symbolism was high on participants’ lists. Maya, Rio, Jude, Zahra, all age7, told the Brooklyn Eagle they sold so many “Love” pins that they ran out.

“Even the police bought pins!” they said.

“New York believes in liberty. We stand behind Lady Liberty with open arms to welcome immigrants and refugees. We always have and we always will,” said Daniel Abramson, Brooklyn borough director for the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.

Mom Jennifer, with her daughter Myela — who decided to call herself “Poppy” for the night — told the Eagle, “We are here to promote love and appreciation and diversity and all the things that are missing nowadays. Which is a bit of a loss, because I have a 3-year-old girl and this is not necessarily the world I want her living in.”

See video of the event above.