As the sun set on New York City, a candlelit vigil took place in Bushwick, as New Yorkers gathered to honor the victims of police violence Sunday night. 

The moving tribute took place in Maria Hernandez Park.

Nearly 200 hundred protesters attended the event, spreading flowers and lighting candles, remembering loved ones and promising each other to continue to fight for justice.
 

“Today is more of a vigil, where we honor all of those who have been murdered by policemen in this country,” said one local who attended the event. “We know the phrase goes, ‘No justice, no peace,” and until that happens, no one is going to stop protesting.” 

“It’s going to take, just tons of people on the streets, all the way up to our government officials, to take a stand for the better,” added another man in attendance.

Earlier, hundreds of protesters gathered near Columbus Circle, just along Central Park South, to demonstrate against racism and police brutality Sunday afternoon, marking the 18th consecutive day of protests following the death of George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, who died while in police custody.

Along with the usual chants that have been heard across the city for the past few weeks, those in attendance of Sunday's demonstration could also be heard repeating a one-syllable word, in unison, again and again: “vote, vote, vote.”
 

Demonstrators told NY1 that they know their actions are making a difference, at times referring to the repeal of 50-a — legislation that protected law enforcement from disclosing police officers’ disciplinary records to the public in certain situations.

The demonstrations remained entirely peaceful throughout the afternoon, though vehicular traffic was shut down in Columbus Circe for a few hours.

Shortly after 5 P.M., several hundred protesters marched south on Broadway to join another demonstration.

Over in Washington Heights, the sound of drums kicked off another rally as hundreds of people gathered to protest racial discrimination and police violence, issues they say are long-standing problems in communities of color.

“I hope it’s a time when folks who are divided artificially can struggle together in unity and demand that the police department be defunded,” said Roger Wareham, a community activist.

The march started in Washington Heights, in the shadows of the Audubon Ballroom, the site where civil rights icon Malcolm X was assassinated.

The Puerto Rican Day Parade that was originally planned for Sunday was cancelled because of COVID-19, so instead the Latino community took the occasion to show their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Multiple nurses who’ve been on the frontlines during the pandemic showed up to the event. They told NY1 that the racial disparities don’t just stop at policing.

“It was devastating having to see black and brown people dying at higher rates than other populations in other communities,” said Roxanna Garcia, an ICU nurse. “It’s impossible that it wouldn’t move you to come here and do something.”

“The young people are needed to help us take a step forward and help us get through,” added Wendy Braithwaite, another nurse who attended the event. “It hasn’t worked in the past, so the young people are more vocal.”
 

Meanwhile, a massive crowd formed in front of the Brooklyn Museum near Prospect Park to take part in the "Black Trans Lives Matter" protest. Stunning visuals show thousands of people taking to the streets to protest peacfully for hours on end.
 

In light of the immense pressure protesters have put on elected leaders, some police reform has started to take place in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo this past week turned long-sought after police reform legislation into law.

• Cuomo’s Executive Order Requires Local Governments to Reinvent Police Departments

The bills, many of which have languished in Albany for years, suddenly jumped to the front of the agenda this week in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the massive protests that followed.