10 Black Lives Matter Marches Happening Now Across the Nation
Change comes slowly but surely.
Ever since the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black people in the hands of police brutality and injustice, more marches and protests have broken out across the country. These people are coming together during periods of unrest and uncertainty to try and create a sense of peace and comfort for everyone in our country. Here are 10 Black Lives Matter marches happening all over the globe this week.
West Orange Youth Caucus and West Orange Young Democrats
Two youth groups from West Orange, NJ are collaborating on a local march for the Black Lives Matter movement on Saturday. West Orange Youth Caucus and the West Orange Young Democrats come together at 3 pm at Main Street and Franklin Avenue, ending at 4 pm at Valley Road and Hazel Avenue.
In collaboration with West Orange Youth Caucus, there will be a march in protest for the Black Liberation…
Posted by West Orange Young Democratic Committee on Monday, August 10, 2020
“Join us as we march for a movement, not just a moment. Please remember to wear masks and keep a safe distance,” the organizers wrote in a joint statement. “Following the protest, the WO HRC will be hosting a Black Business Bloc Party that community members are encouraged to take part in.”
These events that are created by young people are important in spreading awareness to those who may feel like their age is being held against them. The youth are the next generation’s hope for change in what is yet to come. It also gives teachers a sense of pride in how they have taught their students.
Proud Principal. Today, my family and I watched current and former West Orange High School students pull together one of the largest, motivating and meaningful protests to raise our voices for Black Lives Matter on the front steps of Town Hall. #WOStrong #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/e9O1rbVKQ0
— Mr. Moore (@MrMooreWO) June 7, 2020
For more information on the Black Liberation Movement march, click here.
March on the Boards at Seaside Park
March on the Boards is a BLM rally being held from 2-6 pm on August 15 on Seaside Park’s boardwalk. The event’s organizers announced that those who want to participate in the event can go to the Saw Mill restaurant parking lot on 1807 Boardwalk in the borough, according to jerseyshoreonline.
Attendants are required to wear masks and other PPE, agreeing with Gov. Phil Murphy’s guidelines and executive order for the coronavirus pandemic.
“Educate and Change: What’s Next?” Event in Jackson
Sponsored by the youth group Rays of Hope and Girls With Beauty and Brains, this event is scheduled from 3 to 5 pm on August 22 at 192 Kierych Memorial Drive, Jackson Township.
Attendants are also required to wear masks and other PPE, following Gov. Phil Murphy’s guidelines and executive order for the coronavirus pandemic.
Fair Lawn Peaceful Vigil After Black Lives Matter Protests
After a tense altercation between peaceful protesters, first responders and police officers occurred in Bergen County last week, over 50 people came together to share in peace and unity after Fair Lawn’s council meeting. According to northjersey.com, those same 50 people sat on Borough Hall’s lawn to hold signs of defeating injustice.
Mayor Kurt Peluso wrote on his Facebook page about the event, “Unfortunately, the actual events held yesterday were divisive and difficult to watch unfold, and they included the participation of a number of people who are not Fair Lawn residents. Moving forward, the Mayor and Council will work to bridge our differences and to stand against those voices who would rather we stay divided. Ensuring that hate has no home in Fair Lawn is a calling for us. We condemn hate speech in all of its forms and we will focus our efforts in finding ways to bring our community together and to make clear that as long as we represent the residents of Fair Lawn that it is a community that is safe and welcoming and that hate truly has no home here. The governing body is strongly against racism, fascism, and all forms of hate.”
March on Washington Revised to Follow Coronavirus Protocols
The national commemoration of the famous 1963 civil rights March on Washington is to be revised to follow the virus rules at the District of Columbia on August 28. Organized by Rev. Al Sharpton and others, he has asked some participants to join satellite marches in hot-spot states for the coronavirus outbreak. Many marchers are still predicted to arrive via charter buses.
The march takes place on the 57th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s powerful “I Have a Dream” speech at Lincoln Memorial. Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil rights leader, attorney Benjamin Crump and the families of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, are also expected to attend.
After the rally, people will march along to the Martin Luther King Memorial in West Pontomac Park. Sharpton assured ctpost that everyone will be required to wearing masks; organizers are also posting hand sanitation stations and temperature checks the entire event. “The objective is to put on one platform, in the shadow of Abe Lincoln, the families of people that … have lost loved ones in unchecked racial bias,” Sharpton said. “On these steps, Dr. King talked about his dream, and the dream is unfulfilled. This is the Exhibit A of that not being fulfilled.”
Free Public Library of Philadelphia Workers Protest Against Anti-Racism
On August 3, Workers from the Free Public Library of Philadelphia settled at the Chestnut Hill home of Pamela Dembe, chair of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s board of trustees for her to be fired or resign for alleged racially insensitive behavior. The gathering involved at least 25 white and seven Black employees in solidarity.
“This is the only way she’s going to listen to us,” Perry Genovesi, a librarian at the Parkway Central facility, said of the hour-long protest outside Dembe’s home. “The Concerned Black Workers of the Free Library of Philadelphia have tried at least four different times to get the board’s attention. From the board, there was radio silence, until hundreds of white workers signed a letter of solidarity.”
Led by @cindybassphilly, 10 Philadelphia city councilmembers (a majority), sign a public letter endorsing the demands of Concerned Black Workers at FLP and calling for #DembeOut and worker involvement in library governance and executive hiring. https://t.co/kGzcEiWE2Z
— Flan (@asunflowerpose) August 13, 2020
One of those times included an open letter from the Concerned Black Workers sharing their experiences. The letter stated that they faced discrimination, lower pay in comparison to white coworkers, and less precaution assistance for the coronavirus pandemic.
Dembe was home during the event, but remarked that she had no plans to resign “unless or until the board tells me otherwise.” As for if she was racist, she replied, “I hope not”, but did not elaborate for further comment.
E.R.A.S.E. BLM Rally in New York
E.R.A.S.E. (Eliminating Racism and Seeking Equality), a group from Irondequoit, N.Y., held a Black Lives Matter rally on Saturday. The people spoke out against redlining, calling for equal medical care and more black representation for teaching and police positions.
Organizer Jeanie Connor said, “Our message today is this is enough. There is no safe space for racism in Irondequoit or our surrounding communities. Or in our nation.”
Chicago ‘Black Lives Matter’ Activist Supports Looting
Black Lives Matter organizer Ariel Atkins spoke with WBEZ about why looting is necessary for change within the black community in Chicago. As for people who feel worse for multimillion-dollar businesses destroyed in the process, Atkins said, “I feel like these stores, these Macy’s, these Guccis, the PNC Banks, they’re not here for us. The city puts way more money and investment into spending time and protecting their spaces and making sure that they exist. And yet our people are constantly being pushed out of the city. I will support the looters ‘till the end of the day…If that’s what they need to do in order to eat, then that’s what you’ve got to do to eat.”
Atkins also explained how violence and looting have always been part of America’s history. The way that history has worked, the way that we’ve ever gotten wins, has never been through peaceful protests alone, and I will say with quotes, “peaceful protests.” Winning has come through revolts. Winning has come through riots. Winning has come through constant, constant work.
In addition, Atkins also had some words for Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s dismissiveness towards contributing to the community. “If anyone is attacking this city, it’s them. And anybody who is rising up and saying, ‘We won’t take this anymore, we’re going to do what we want’ — those are the people that she should be trying to protect, and those are the people that she should be getting outraged for.”
Louisville Police Ban Protests and Marches Around the City
After the tragic murder of Kentucky native Breonna Taylor in March, citizens have taken the streets for the past 70 days to show support for black people against inequality. However, police officials have locked down to ban protests, marches, and further demonstrations around the city, as reported by Now This. On Sunday, the Louisville Police Department announced that all pedestrians, including protesters, must stay on the city’s sidewalks, follow pedestrian traffic laws, and not block intersections for any period of time.
“We have seen increasingly unsafe behavior, including an escalation in aggressive behavior over the past week or so,” the LMPD reported on Twitter.
In spite of the department’s announcement, protests continued to gather in downtown Louisville on Sunday night. Chanelle Helm, a Black Lives Matter Louisville member, told the Journal, “The objective and the goal is to disrupt just as much as (police) disrupt people’s lives.”
LMPD continues to balance the First Amendment right to protest with the public safety needs of the entire community. For nearly 75 days, Louisville residents have taken to the streets to express their desire for accountability and change. pic.twitter.com/2jNGO2Uayc
— LMPD (@LMPD) August 9, 2020
Canadian Black Lives Matter marches spark change
Not only in America, but Canada has its fair share of racism and discrimination against Black people. The international attention from Black Lives Matter struck conversations for Canadians. Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, the co-founder of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, spoke to Orangeville.com on the ongoing issues within Orangeville and Shelburne counties.
“We can’t hide behind a mask and say that these situations are only happening in the States,” she said. “We’ve seen evidence of blatant discrimination right here in Canada. We have to act. We cannot wait until something is happening in Shelburne to act; we have to be proactive.”
Seanna Thomas, who organized the Orangeville march with her younger sister, acknowledged that there have been “more awareness, just not drastic changes” within the environment. “I would like to see more action at our town council,” she continued. “I know they have a diversity committee being formed, but I would like to see more involvement. I’d like to see more Black people on council, and hear from more prominent Black voices in our community.”
It helps to see the Black Lives Matter movement’s message increasing around the world.
