One of God’s children // Gabriel Denison, 2, holds a sign offering details of his ethnic background during last Friday’s Three Parks Walk for Peace in the East End. The youngster attended the march with his parents, Liz and Rob Denison, and year-old sister, Cora, as people gathered with messages of hope and unity despite the recent violence in U.S. communities and abroad. Please see story, more photos, B2.

Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez adds finishing touches to his new “Givers of the Divine” mural. Location: 6 W. Cary St. in Downtown. From Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Quiñonez is among a dozen visiting artists who painted more than 14 murals on buildings during this summer’s Richmond Mural Project, which ended last week.

The project, spearheaded by a Washington art studio, has added more than 100 murals to building exteriors in the city since it began in 2012.

Walkout for living wage // Rolanda McMillan protests pay and working conditions in front of the McDonald’s restaurant at 2011 Chamberlayne Ave. She was among 28 workers at the restaurant who picketed last Thursday for basic safety equipment such as oven mitts and to protest cuts to work schedules.

Protesters also called for pay hikes for workers to $15 an hour. The franchise brought in workers from other chain locations to keep the fast food restaurant open during the picketing. McDonald’s representatives did not respond to Free Press requests for comment. //

Close-up of a petunia in Downtown

Supporting the Environment // Despite blistering temperatures nearing 100, more than 600 people gathered at Brown’s Island last Saturday for a rally and march to Capitol Square and the Governor’s Mansion to protest the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, coal ash ponds, fracking, off-shore oil rigs and other threats to public and environmental health. A bevy of speakers addressed the crowd about climate chaos, the destruction of rural communities and health Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press threats because of laws and corporate decisions that put profit above people. People from across Virginia and the nation held signs and banners and chanted as they marched toward the Executive Mansion to urge Gov. Terry McAuliffe to support laws to protect people and the environment. Tents were set up on Brown’s Island, where organizers distributed water and sunscreen to participants.