They crossed the Prospect Expressway under the watchful eyes of NYPD officers. But what set this group apart from other Black Lives Matter protesters is that some carried preschool instruments.

This rally featured students from preschool through fifth grade who attend PS 10 in Park Slope.

It was also a reunion of sorts. Most had not seen each other in person since March when city school buildings were shut and remote learning began because of the coronavirus crisis.

One student says, "I'm really glad I could see them again and not through a screen," said one student.

"I'm excited to see my friends and I'm happy”, says another. “And my whole school is here. I made a sign."

The students carried their handmade signs as they marched and chanted with their families.

“They may be five and six right now, or eight, nine, 10 or 12," says PTA President Heather Volik. “But it's important that they have memories, that they were here and they were doing something and their voices were heard. Because although I would love to see the struggle over, it's a continuing struggle. We want to make sure that these kids are ready to keep the fight alive."

The route on a hot afternoon went from the buiding which houses PS 10's preschool to the main building on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, which serves more than 1,000 students. There, children, their parents and teachers decorated the fence with their homemade signs. Some shared their messages.

“I’m a black girl who rocks and my my life sure does matter," says one student, reading her sign.

"I'm here because of George Floyd," says another.

The principal, Laura Scott, said seeing the children and their activism also felt like they were supporting her as an African American mother raising a son.

"I wanted to cry,” says Scott. “I haven't seen many of them for three months or so. It's more like a family school, even though we have so many children. There's a genuine love in the school and definitely respect for cultural differences and race.”