High School Students Lead March of 500 People to Protest for a Better Community
by Channing Capacchione | WeINSPIRE Reporter
BOSTON, Ma - “It started with a text and two facetimes,” says Nathan Warner Dorval, recent Newton North High School (NNHS) graduate and incoming first year student at University of Rhode Island. Warner Dorval and several other Newton North High School students have worked in their community this summer with marches, speeches, signs, and social media activism.
The NNHS students met through a leadership class focusing on leadership in their community, the world at large, and diversity. Together, they created “Infinity March,” because “this is forever. Forever in justice we march,” says Warner Dorval.
Infinity March started with a text, and it has since grown to be much bigger. Their inaugural March gathered nearly 500 people together in response to the murder of George Floyd, on June 19, 2020.
Pictured: Black Lives Matter skateboard
Photography: Ian Dickerman
Nathan Warner Dorval, Raghav Kadambi, Leyla Davis, Daniela Divo, TreyVaughn Dames-Hill and Serena Jampel, all of Newton, Massachusetts organized the event, stating:
“For decades we have marched. We have marched for civil rights. We have marched for equality. Now we march for justice. We must be the generation to break the infinite chain of injustice and oppression in this nation. We do not want to inherit or perpetuate the painful legacy that terrorizes our families, friends, and communities.
In order to make the dream of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors a reality, we must start with the youth. It is only through education that we can combat ignorance. We want to empower our generation to create an environment of love, understanding and equality. We ask you and your families to join us on Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery, to stand with us in this pivotal moment in history.”
Nathan Warner Dorval, Raghav Kadambi, and Serena Jampel spoke about their experience leading Infinity March on our latest podcast episode:
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Pictured: Marchers gather together on the track.
Photography: Ian Dickerman
The march began at Boston College and ended at Newton North High School, where the Infinity March leaders previously attended school, and followed a similar path to that of the Boston Marathon.
Since then, they have begun working with community leaders to see actionable change, and running an Instagram account with a series called “History Rewind,” to highlight and educate their audience on historical social justice leaders. Their followers continue to grow and inspired students have reached out to the group asking how they can get involved.
“One of our major goals is to fill the gaps in education that we see,” says Serena Jampel, when discussing the History Rewind series.
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
The march included informative speeches with demands and call to actions to end racial discrimination.
“No matter what race you are, your voice is important to inspire change. Our issues have been ignored by many white people for years, and it is understandable why we have lost faith in society. We are tired. I am tired.”
Pictured: Students lead the march throughout Newton, Massachusetts.
Photography: Ian Dickerman
“We are not fighting FOR black people. Communities of color have never needed a white savior, not now, not ever. We are fighting for justice. We are fighting because it should make you sick to live in a system of hierarchies. You are fighting not only because racism is intolerable for black people, but because it is intolerable for ALL PEOPLE. We cannot, should not, and will not tolerate living in a state of racial terror anymore.”
Pictured: Marchers with signs throughout their neighborhood.
Photography: Ian Dickerman
Infinity March has also been working closely with Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) to unite people in the Newton community to promote equality. FORJ has been active for many years, but their most recent initiative is working with the Newton superintendent to create a comprehensive anti-racist curriculum.
The organizers of the Infinity March are the future leaders of tomorrow, and they are just getting started with their plans ahead:
Nathan Warner Dorval will be attending University of Rhode Island.
Raghav Kadambi will be attending Colby College.
Serena Jampel will be taking a gap year while working on a campaign in Maine, and will attend Harvard College afterwards.
TreyVaughn Dames-Hill will be attending the University of New Haven.
Daniela Divo will be attending University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Leyla Davis will be attending Carnegie Mellon University.
The Infinity March organizers plan to pass down this new tradition to current students at Newton North High School, as the march for racial justice continues. Currently, the student leaders are working with Newton North High School and Newton South High School to reform their student governments to accentuate the voices of the students at both high schools in new and improved policies.
Follow Infinity March on Facebook and on Instagram for an upcoming video project and more information on how you can become involved in making and changing history.
Infinity March is currently looking for more individuals to be a part of their community conversations. Reach out via Instagram DM if you’re interested in taking action now.
