Protesting in Los Angeles for Black Lives Matter
June 10, 2020
Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
BLM
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 24TH 2020: I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AN IMPORTANT FACT – I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AGAINST BLM NOW BECAUSE OF THE FOUNDERS SAYING THEY ARE TRAINED MARXIST AND PROMOTE COMMUNISM. I ALSO SAW QUESTIONING ON WHERE THE BLACK LIVES MATTER FUNDING IS GOING? IS IT REALLY GOING TO HELP BLACK LIVES? THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT HAS COME TO LIGHT AND I PERSONALLY WANT TO SAY THAT I AM AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY. I AM AGAINST DISCRIMINATION. I AM AGAINST THE CANCEL CULTURE. I AM AGAINST THE FAR RIGHT AND THE FAR LEFT RADICALS. I AM AGAINST DESTROYING BUSINESSES. I AM AGAINST RACISM. I SUPPORT EQUALITY. I DO WANT TO SAY I DO NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE ORGANIZATION WANTS AND I KNOW THIS MIGHT UPSET PEOPLE BUT I RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES OPINIONS SO PLEASE RESPECT MINE. I DO NOT SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE- I THINK THAT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA AS WE SEE CRIME HAS SKYROCKETED IN PLACES THAT THE POLICE WERE DEFUNDED. I WILL NEVER PRAISE A CRIMINAL. I ALSO DO NOT SUPPORT SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM OR SUPER HIGH TAXES ESPECIALLY AFTER COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC. I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN THAT IS INCLUSIVE, LOVING, EDUCATED, RESPECTFUL, CONSCIOUS AND KIND.
For those of you that do not know, I am mixed. My mom is Caucasian (English, Irish, French and German) and my dad is African American and Native American.
For the past 10 days, I have been talking with family members on my dad’s side asking them about the racism they have experienced. I have been watching documentaries to better educate myself including 13th and Black Panthers, which I highly recommend. I also have been exercising my first amendment – the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly – to challenge America’s broken system. I’ve encountered thousands upon thousands of peaceful protesters and I’m truly inspired by the unity and solidarity I’ve seen. Some people contributed (we did last Saturday) by passing out waters, fruit, snacks and medical supplies. I even saw some girls set up a booth to make free protest signs! There were some times that the abundance of love and support felt like “Burning Man” moments.
I want to highlight a powerful moment that happened on Saturday. I was out protesting with a group of people I had never met before. At the end of the day, while my group and I were heading back to our cars, we came across a homeless woman near the Grand Central Market in downtown LA. We saw that she had no socks or shoes and was walking through the streets barefoot, so we stopped to help. Joella gave her the socks off her feet. Lola gave her the shoes off her feet too (she ended up walking back 3 miles without shoes). Alexa & Rob gave her money and the rest of the group gave her a bag filled with the snacks and waters we had left. Then at the very end, led by Mona, we all joined in prayer. It was so beautiful to see people coming together with compassion and empathy to help someone in need.
I also want to express how proud I am of my friend Tyrone who organized and led this peaceful protest in Hollywood on June 3rd. We went from 7 to over a 1000-strong, all led by Tyrone. Tyrone embodies everything it means to be a community leader and advocate for change. Not only is he out here on the frontlines fighting for justice and freedom, but he’s doing this daily within his role as the Volunteer Manager at VIP advocating against violence and abuse every day.
There was a protester in our group who had a sign that read, “We shoot back!” Tyrone walked over to her calmly and said “ This isn’t the way. We can’t fight violence with violence, we have to fight with love and unity!” She gave it to him and it was a powerful moment as we remained peaceful throughout the rest of the day.
Despite all of the evil in this world, there are wonderfully kind humans that can make a lasting positive impact. I truly believe that if we take action together, we can truly make a change. It doesn’t matter what age, gender, race or religion you believe in. We are all a part of the human race. Racial injustice is not just a “black” problem; it’s an “us” problem and we have to fight together.
BLACK LIVES MATTER – 2020
May 30th March – Pan Pacific Park to 3rd street
June 2nd March – Hollywood
June 3rd March – Hollywood and Vine (Led by Tyrone and his church Fearless LA)
June 6th – Los Angeles City Hall in Downtown
I hope you enjoyed all of these photos! Let’s continue to fight for reform!! Also, you can check out my Instagram stories under highlights to see more vidoes!=
