More than 5,000 runners and walkers took to the streets of Evanston on Sunday, June 19, to honor the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong, a former Northwestern men’s basketball coach who was murdered by white supremacists in 1999.
Every Father’s Day, people throughout Chicagoland run or walk to fight against the racial violence that remains so frequent in this country. The 2016 Race Against Hate marked the 17th year racing toward racial equality and justice. The event raised more than $300,000 to support YWCA Evanston/North Shore‘s violence prevention and racial justice programming.
This year’s memorial run also took on greater meaning because of the Pulse nightclub murders in Orlando, Florida. Race Against Hate participants wrote messages of support for Orlando on chalkboards near the race course. They also noted their goal to end hate crimes and violence.
“Love is the way, not hate,” says Sherilyn Byrdsong, the widow of Ricky Byrdsong.
For more information about the Race Against Hate and YWCA, click here.
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