Vancouver residents gather over U.S. gun violence, racial tension

Vancouver residents have added their voices in solidarity with Black Lives Matter following a wave of gun violence in the U.S.

Hundreds gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery to hear speeches and sing together.

"We are also feeling a lot of confusion and anger and hurt and sadness and despair," said Cicely-Belle Blain, the founder of Black Lives Matter Vancouver.

Many at the event spoke about violence and racial tension in the U.S. following police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana along with the killing of five white police officers by a black suspect in Dallas.

"It is very sad to see that one individual's actions have been associated with our movement as a whole because that individual has specifically said they are no way affiliated with Black Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter is a peaceful organization," said Blain.

#BlackLivesMatter was created in 2012 after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

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"I think a lot of people do have the assumption that Canada is a post-racial society like we are all equal here," said Blain.

"The multiculturalism policies are a big thing that make people believe that we are all equal and respected as a community," she added.

"As a black person living in Vancouver I do experience a lot of micro-aggressions, for some people it may seem small, but it's very frustrating to experience on a daily basis."

with files from Angela Sterritt