More than 2000 people marched through the streets of Waterbury Saturday morning to raise awareness about autism, and to raise money to help facilitate research into the cause of autism. The event was run by Autism Speaks. Photographs by John Murray
Teams wore brightly colored shirts and marched for a friend or loved one with autism.
Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary announced that the Mayor’s Office was making a $1000 donation to Autism Speaks to help fund research needed to identify the causes of autism. O’Leary’s son, Patrick, works every day with autistic children and the mayor has learned a lot about the subject in the oast few years. ” We can put men on the moon and accomplish all these things in Iraq and Afghanistan,” O’Leary said. “Now is the time to focus on home, and let’s focus some research on the cuases of autism.”
Mayoral aide Gerry Reyes presented Al and Helen Taylor a proclamation from the state delegation yesterday morning at the “Walk Now For Autism Speaks” event in Library Park in downtown Waterbury.
Costumed superheroes waved to the walkers, but on Saturday, everyone participating in the fight against autism was a superhero.
The sight of thousands of concerned citizens marching in Waterbury to raise awareness about autism was impressive.