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The Column: Spring, the Riverwalk, and domestic violence

The newly reopened Riverwalk between Boott Mills and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium is closed after the façade fell off the adjacent building behind the Mass Mills apartment building. A pile of bricks can be seen blocking the path, and clumps of bricks also fell into the Merrimack River. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

The newly reopened Riverwalk between Boott Mills and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium is closed after the façade fell off the adjacent building behind the Mass Mills apartment building. A pile of bricks can be seen blocking the path, and clumps of bricks also fell into the Merrimack River. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

The newly reopened Riverwalk between Boott Mills and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium is closed after the façade fell off the adjacent building behind the Mass Mills apartment building. A sign informing walkers of earlier closures due to Mass Mills building improvements is attached to a fence blocking the entrance to the path. River. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

Some of the participants in the annual White Ribbon Day event, held at Lowell City Hall on March 14, 2023, and organized by Alternative House, which provides support to survivors of domestic violence. (Courtesy Erastus Mwangi)

White ribbon pins signify support to end gender-based violence. They were available during the White Ribbon Day event held at City Hall on March 14, 2024, which was organized by Alternative House. The nonprofit provides support for survivors of domestic violence. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

Residents waited more than an hour and a half while the Billerica Select Board sat in executive session Jan. 12, 2024, just two days after a Middlesex Superior Court judge ruled that the board must set a date for a special election for the controversial town center project. When the board returned to regular session, the five members unanimously voted to set the election for Feb. 17. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)

From left, Billerica Select Board members Michael Rosa, Andrew Deslaurier, Chair Michael Riley, Kim Conway and John Burrows during the Jan. 12, 2024 meeting, two days after Middlesex Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggan ruled that the board must set a date for a special election in the $20 million town center project. The board voted unanimously to set the election for Feb. 17. (Peter Currier/Lowell Sun)