My Experience at the Black Lives Matter Protest
Editor’s Note: We wanted to get a glimpse at what it looks like to be on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter protests that happened around the world. Below you’ll find experiences from several people in their own words.
Brooklyn, Age 14
Jackson, Michigan
I went to two peaceful protests in Jackson, Michigan. While I was there I felt safe and protected the whole time. I saw people crying, chanting, and screaming. I wanted to go there to fight equality. Nobody came to cause trouble; they came for their voices to be heard. Nobody came to start a riot; they came there to fight for lives. Nobody came to set fires to buildings; they came so people knew that their lives matter just as much as anybody else's. People continuously told me not to go because they were scared something bad would've happened, but if everybody felt that way nothing would ever get done. They came there because they wanted their lives to matter. To end police brutality towards people of color. Both of the protests were beautiful. I plan to keep going to protests until we don't have to fight for the color of our skin anymore.
Theo, Age 29
Detroit, Michigan
I went to the protest Friday night (5/29/20), to exercise my first amendment rights and stand up for social justice issues. I can’t remember what time we arrived, but it was night time. Within minutes of getting on the street, I witnessed innocent protesters get rushed by the cops... I immediately went LIVE on Facebook, to document what was happening. Some protesters were animated, but for the most part it was contained. The police began blocking streets, then rushing the block, it seemed to secure a perimeter. As I was standing on a corner, the police sprinted across the street as a unit, running people off the corner and assaulting protesters. I got tackled and my phone taken. I wasn’t able to run because everyone ran at once and there were people behind me, there was nowhere to go. We ended up calling it a night not too long after getting my phone back (not from the cops that took it).
We went back the second night, Saturday, to protest because we never felt like we got a chance to protest the first night. Saturday was much more calm as it was one large group just marching the streets doing chants. At some point, we ended up approaching a street that the police had blocked. We stood around trying to regroup and figure out what to do, and the cops shot tear gas at us without warning.
We persisted to continue protesting even through the tear gas for a while, and my group decided it was time to go home.
On the walk to the car, as I was holding my sign and essentially “protesting” to the car so to speak, I had a verbal exchange with a cop that was driving in traffic, and he threatened me. Fueled by frustration having been tear gassed and assaulted the night before, I told him to “Prove it then, pussy”. I wasn’t willing to threaten him back, but I’m not the type of person to shut up when I’m threatened. The cop proceeded to pull over and assault me with two other cops, as I crouched over and let them. They did hit me in the body and head, but they didn’t do it with intentions of knocking me out. I was then handcuffed and arrested. When I was getting processed, more people who were arrested were coming in, mostly younger people and most of them saying that they got arrested for literally no reason. After I was arrested, the police were willing to talk and show respect. I’m honestly not upset for being assaulted by a cop that I called a pussy, but I’m also not upset for standing my ground and using my first amendment rights.
Felicia, Age 38
Gainesville, VA
As a Black woman born and raised in the United States in a middle class family, at the age of 38, I never thought I would feel the need to or have to participate in any type of protest about the injustices of Black people in our country. While these injustices have always been ever-present, and while I have experienced discrimination firsthand, I have never felt more convicted than I have now. On June 2nd in my community of Gainesville, VA, which is about as suburban as it gets in Northern, Virginia, I found myself engulfed in a sea of people of all races, colors, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dressed in all black with my homemade sign tightly clinched, I was nervous and very unsure of what to expect. In fact, my husband asked me not to attend the protest. However, I felt that I had to, and I was ready to march in the name of George Floyd, police brutality, and the injustices against Black Americans. I was met with water, masks, and hand sanitizer. Before our feet hit the pavement, we were opened in prayer. Led by young leaders of the Black Lives Matter Movement, on a stunningly bright day, in solidarity alongside the Prince William County Police Department and many community leaders, we peacefully chanted, laughed, and marched down Linton Hall, a main highway in Gainesville together. The police blocked off the roads and The Gateway Town Center for us. When we reached the on-ramp of Interstate 66, we knelt for George Floyd and all of the others that have been senselessly murdered for simply being Black. After we knelt, we all marched back together, and our group seemed even more energized than when we started. And, just like we began, we closed in prayer. I was in awe of how we all came together at this protest, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
Catherine, Age 19
Maumee, OH
I was originally nervous going into the protest but as it started, I started getting more and more confident. We started at a bridge that divided Maumee from Perrysburg and marched to a nearby precinct. Once we got there, we were in silent respect for George Floyd for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Some were laying on their stomachs while others, including myself, knelt while a good portion stood with their fist in the air to show equality. After that people started coming up to share their stories and their allyship. Many spoke but there was one who sang, some people moved to the states and faced racism both in their home country and in the US. Other people had racist experiences from a teacher at a local elementary school that I went to. It was all peaceful and very enlightening, I was one of the next people to speak when the protest was rained out. All the speaking was a voluntary basis as much as being at the protest itself. I had wanted to be a part of many of the protests and talked about it with my mother. Originally, I didn’t know that there was a protest that day until my mother told me about it and let me go. Even though it was cut short by the rain I was glad to be apart of the protest even if it was hot. Even if we didn’t finish the march that was planned it still meant something to me by being there and listening to other people’s stories even if I am just an ally.
Anonymous, Age 22
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
With recent events most of us feel frustrated and trapped in a society that is outdated and unforgivable; protests provide a space for individuals to come together and voice their concerns and frustrations about the way the world works. It satisfies the desire we have to take action and be proactive in a time where most of us are sat at home feeling stuck.
I attended a Black Lives Matter protest in a small town therefore I had low expectations when it came to impact and turnout however I arrived at the square to see hundreds of people- all wearing black in a show of solidarity. It was everything you wouldn't expect a protest to be; hopeful, inspiring but above all respectful. This was no ordinary protest as we are still in the midst of a pandemic so it was heartwarming to see everyone wearing masks and standing at a distance in order to keep each other safe.
Many held signs painted with poignant pieces of artwork or quotes that encapsulated their most prominent thoughts. Looking around I see white skin, brown skin and black skin- all equal in their anger and all equally heartbroken and violated at the treatment of their fellow humans. Scattered amongst a crowd of young adults are families and small children, holding signs that represent their future.
These protests are a reflection of the strength, support and solidarity that we should all show towards the sentiment that 'Black Lives Matter'; this is a statement that should already be embedded into every culture and society and it is only the bare minimum. Black Lives have always mattered and these protests are only just the beginning of what we hope will be a global uprising.
Chelsea, Age 35
Dublin, OH
I'm white. I'm friendly. I'm involved in the community. What I wasn't until this week is a protester. Over the last few weeks, I've reached out to my black friends. What can I do? Their responses were the same - you aren't the problem! Through Facebook, I learned that there would be a rally just a walks distance from my home. I laced up my sneakers and started my walk into Dublin. On my way, I thought about Ahmaud Arbery who was murdered for doing the very thing I was doing. How often do POC reconsider their exercise routine, run without the luxury of music encouraging them through their ear buds? As I approached the rally - I immediately got chills. I noticed the ages of those in attendance. I was much older than most but the passion they brought to the rally transcended age. Young people stood up, spoke from their heart, and were encouraged by the crowd. Cheering, chanting, kneeling - all peacefully and respectfully. Then, head of the police department stood, surrounded by people of all colors and all races and proclaimed that change does need to happen and change is coming. It was a powerful moment.
Later the same week, my neighborhood organized a candle light vigil for the black lives matter cause. Over 300 people were in attendance - faces illuminated by candles we walked through the neighborhood. The walk ended in a large parking lot where Lean on Me by Bill Withers was played - everyone sang out in unison and the community was brought together by support for one another. I'm truly proud to be a part of the community - and while these were some of my first protests, it certainly won't be my last.
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