Vendors, jump shots, and a safe community gathering unfolded for the 17th year on Sat., Aug. 15, at the Save R Streets – Silence the Violence Summer Classic at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury that draws players and participants from city neighborhoods and all over the region.
Co-founded by state Sen. Liz Miranda with Deronne Greaves, Robert Roberts, Natasha White, Clayton Weston, Leslie Martin, and Marlon Benjamin under the Score4More, Inc. organization, the tournament has become a summertime showcase for top talent across New England.
Sen. Liz Miranda with staff from Smackk’n, which is based in Chez Vou Roller Rink on Blue Hill Avenue. Seth Daniel photo
“This is our second year at Malcolm X Park and before that we were at Jeep Jones Park, but we outgrew that and we’re about to outgrow this park,” said Miranda. “It’s symbolic and it’s Save R Streets Silence the Violence and we try to be able to have everyone come out around the game of basketball without fear of violence.
“We work with the Boston Police and State Police so everyone can feel safe whether from Dorchester, Roxbury, or out of town. If one day everyone can come out and feel free, then today is that day.”
The annual event typically draws more than 2,000 people to the park. A recent addition are the food and retail vendors along the boulevard, which has been a hit along with the free food provided by Sen. Miranda and sponsors.
One such vendor is Smackk’n, which is based out of Chez Vous Roller Rink on Blue Hill Avenue. The business said it was happy to be participating and did a brisk business all day long.
But the real purpose of the event is to blunt street violence. Miranda noted that it has been a tough summer on that front and added that the tournament is part of a larger strategy that evolved after violence started in June and July.
A player on the main court at Malcolm X Park went high to lay in a breakaway with the Save R Streets – Silence the Violence logo prominently beside the court. Seth Daniel photo
“On thing I did immediately after the July 4 shooting (on George Street) was bring a lot of community leaders together because that one really triggered me because I lost my brother to violence and I grew up in that neighborhood,” she said. “No one wants to see 100 shell casings on their street.”
The Save R Streets tournament lasted from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and featured some of the top talent from New England, as well as neighborhood legends who play year after year, and youth in the middle school division.
Chance Finlayson, one of the top players in New England from St. George’s School (RI), took a jump shot from three-point range. Seth Daniel photo
Mattapan’s T.J. Allen dipped a layup under a defender in a tough game among some of the best in the region. Seth Daniel photo
Mayor Michelle Wu with baby Mira speaking during a water break on the main court. Seth Daniel photo
