In the months since unarmed teenager Michael Brown was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, this past August, an ever-growing movement spotlighting police brutality and the structural racism in American society has taken the country by storm. On Saturday, thousands of people marched through New York City to honor the lives of Brown, Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice and the other unarmed people of color who lost their lives at the hands of police officers. The Huffington Post spoke with dozens of protesters, who ran the gamut of ages, races and demographics, to find out why they decided to speak out and what…
In the months since unarmed teenager Michael Brown was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, this past August, an ever-growing movement spotlighting police brutality and the structural racism in American society has taken the country by storm.
On Saturday, thousands of people marched through New York City to honor the lives of Brown, Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice and the other unarmed people of color who lost their lives at the hands of police officers. The Huffington Post spoke with dozens of protesters, who ran the gamut of ages, races and demographics, to find out why they decided to speak out and what they hoped would change in their communities.
Below, demonstrators share their thoughts on why #BlackLivesMatter:
Jason Dincauze, 32, New York City-based writer
“I’m here because … it’s an epidemic that we need to address. I think the NYPD police union needs to go away. They represent murderers.”
Famous Andre, 47, Queens-based radio host
“I’m here because racism is alive and well in America. We don’t have a policing problem here. If what was happening in the black community was happening in the white community, we would have a policing problem. But it’s not. I would like the white people in America to understand that this cannot continue.”
Arlene Edwards, 25, Pennsylvania-based lab analyst
“Being an African-American woman, I feel the issue is deeper than racism. It’s about injustice. Sometimes not doing something is part of the problem. I would like to see those in power held accountable.”
Ellen Raider, 74, retired and living in Brooklyn
“I’m out here because of the injustice of the criminal justice system and the racism in our society that has to be talked about. I want to see the grand jury system eliminated. It should go straight to trial.”
Adisa Terry, 9, Brooklyn resident
“I’m here because of the unfairness of so many of these incidents. I’d like to see an end to racism and better policing.”
Savvy Jaye, 19, New York University student
“I’m here because I’m pissed off about the Eric Garner and Michael Brown decisions and the kid who got shot carrying a toy gun. It’s bullshit. It shouldn’t be just a few people out here. It should be everyone, pissed off.”
Kahdeem Cohens, 19, Princeton University student
“I want to be part of the history that’s happening today. Change like ending racism won’t happen soon, but hopefully we can work towards actual equality under the law.”
Darlene Livingston, 72, retired and living in Staten Island
“I’m here because police are over policing. My neighbor put in a phony call about a burglary and 10 police showed up. There was never a report. I would like to see cops stop shooting to kill and stop killing blacks and special needs people.”
Samantha Gonzalez, 22, Manhattan-based office manager
“This is an issue that people sweep under the rug and it can’t be ignored anymore. Ending systemic racism would be nice. Obviously that’s a long process, but what can absolutely happen is getting indictments.”
Joseph, 59, Queens-based software developer
“I’m here because of the killings of our American citizens. I would like to see independent prosecutors handle all killings.”
Originally posted here:
These Powerful Signs Illustrate The True Diversity Of The #BlackLivesMatter Movement
