MASSENA -- Black Lives Matter Potsdam plans a peaceful march on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 2:30 p.m. to protest the leaving of a noose at a black family's home in Massena on July 25.

The organization has been active in speaking out for racial justice since June 1, when they began holding rallies to protest the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, including an initial event that attracted nearly 1,000 participants.

“Leaving a noose in the yard of a black family is a clear and dangerous threat. It is a hate crime, and an act of the ongoing racism here. It's past time for this hate that is being exposed daily to stop," said Jennifer Baxtron, the leader of Black Lives Matter Potsdam.

"We will not be silent, we will speak up. We will fight against this ignorance and we need the white people of St. Lawrence County to join us, to step up for their Black neighbors. Your silence is not acceptable," Baxtron said.

To date, Black Lives Matter Potsdam has held over 70 peaceful and socially-distanced events, including daily vigils in the village, a Juneteenth picnic, five marches and rallies, and a community meeting, said a press release from the organization.

The Aug. 1 march in Massena will start from the Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ at 39 W. Orvis St. Organizers state that all peaceful protesters are welcomed and that social distancing and masks are required.

It will be held immediately following a previously scheduled Forum on Racial and Economic Justice, hosted by the North Country Poor People’s Campaign, to be held just prior to the march, from 12-2 p.m., at the church the march will depart from.

BLM Potsdam can be reached at blm.noco@gmail.com.