Hundreds flood Vancouver art gallery for Black Lives Matter vigil (PHOTOS)

The Vancouver chapter of activist group Black Lives Matter held a vigil at the art gallery on Sunday afternoon, and hundreds of people turned up to show their support.

The vigil came as a result of the deaths of two black men – Alton Sterling and Philando Castile – in the United States at the hands of police officers. Castile was shot in front of his four-year-old daughter and his girlfriend during a routine traffic stop, and the whole thing was caught on video.

See also

• Black Lives Matter protest stops Pride Parade in its tracks

The Facebook event page for the vigil paints a grim picture of what life is like for black people in North America.

“In 2015, 102 unarmed Black people were murdered by police officers,” reads the event’s description. “Of these deaths, 10 resulted in a successful trial and 1 officer received jail time. 135 unarmed Black people have been murdered by police so far in 2016.”

Vancouverites united on Sunday in the wake of these tragedies. Here are 14 photos of Sunday’s Black Lives Matter protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

This made our hearts smile #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmattervancouver PC. Karla Lottini

A photo posted by Black Lives Matter Vancouver (@blm_van) on Jul 10, 2016 at 10:51pm PDT

It was an honor to contribute to this healing space today – it was so beautiful to witness your strength, your courage, your laugher, your tears, your voices. Proud of Vancouver for showing solidarity at this vigil. Black lives matter. Black lives matter. Black lives matter.

A photo posted by Laydy Jams (@laydyjams) on Jul 10, 2016 at 10:11pm PDT

#blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmattervancouver #idlenomore #indigenouspeople #solidarity

A photo posted by Beeridget (@henrythehuck) on Jul 10, 2016 at 6:18pm PDT

#blacklivesmattervancouver #blacklivesmatter

A photo posted by Rose Stiffarm (@rosestiffarm) on Jul 10, 2016 at 4:18pm PDT

today we were thousands and i can sleep soundly in the warm arms of my city #blacklivesmattervancouver photo by @tanyatrip

A photo posted by cicely belle (@cicelybelle_xo) on Jul 10, 2016 at 10:29pm PDT

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterVancouver #SayTheirNames

A photo posted by @kaaayaye on Jul 10, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

I love you my black brothers and sisters #blacklivesmatter always with the oppressed. #blacklivesmattervancouver the amount of people that stopped to take a pictures with me and supported me was amazing! there are more signs of course

A photo posted by Śîšťëř Ńāwāļ (@nunaaddo) on Jul 10, 2016 at 3:42pm PDT

#blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmattervancouver

A photo posted by coralie (@coralily16) on Jul 10, 2016 at 12:46pm PDT

Black Lives Matter Rally! So great to see people of colour and our allies supporting us during this time!! #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmattervancouver #vancouver #yvr #proudtobeblack

A video posted by Da Bahamian Vegan (@da_bahamian_vegan) on Jul 10, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT

In 2016 alone, 135 unarmed Black people have been murdered by police. Tomorrow on Sunday July 10 at 12:30 PM, @BLM_Van will be holding a vigil for Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the countless Black lives lost at the hands of anti-black racism and police brutality. The vigil will take place at the Vancouver Art Gallery. For a list of where to donate and what supplies are needed, visit the Black Lives Matter Vancouver Facebook page (link in my bio). Come, be present, stand in solidarity. #BLACKLIVESMATTER #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile #HandsUpDontShoot #Vancouver #VanCity #BLMVan

A photo posted by Lenée Son (@leneeson) on Jul 9, 2016 at 9:54pm PDT

Incredible turnout for today’s #blmvan demonstration and vigil

A photo posted by Ashley Milbury (@purlpoet) on Jul 10, 2016 at 6:28pm PDT

•Black Lives Matter• Today @blm_van created space to foster community, encourage solidarity in the midst of the grief and outrage at the vigil for Alton sterling and Philando castile. So Beautiful and encouraging to see so many people out reaffirming our lives and crying for justice #blmvan #blacklivesmatter #altonsterling #philandocastile #justiceforall #vigil #vancouver

A photo posted by Amarachi Chukwu (@amy_chukwu) on Jul 10, 2016 at 7:14pm PDT

Solidarity. #MLK #MartinLutherKingJr #BLMVan #BlackLivesMatter

A photo posted by Sophia (@sengsuriya) on Jul 10, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

#blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmattervancouver

A photo posted by Morgan Brayton (@morganbrayton) on Jul 10, 2016 at 3:44pm PDT