Huge intersection in DC shutdown by peaceful dcferguson march November 25th, 2014.
It is hard to express how peaceful a protest can feel. Yes, we are protesting an injustice system, and yes, we are enraged at the racism that persists in America. Yet we are together in our anger and, more importantly, in our hope that through action we can put an end to the systematic oppression of African Americans in this country.
Two women hold up banner that says "If you are silent about your pain they will kill you and say you enjoy'd it" at dcferguson march November 25th, 2014.
The #dcferguson march shut down major parts of downtown for 3 hours: the New York Ave 395 tunnel, Chinatown, The H St Walmart. The police understood their role in a democratic society: to protect citizens. They set up barricades to accommodate the march and rode in front and behind of the crowd to ensure everyone was safe.
Marchers hold up signs one of which reads "We all bleed the same color" during dcferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
The crowd was diverse, which in DC is the status quo, and one of the reasons I love living here. All ages, skin tones, and nationalities showed up and stood up for Mike Brown and the countless other young black men that have needlessly died only to have their killers go free.
More below the fold.
Young man holds up sign that says I am a man and depicts one man against 3 armed officers at dcferguson march November 25th, 2014
Marchers hold up banner that reads "Mexican / Latino Solidarity with Ferguson # Blacklivesmatter" at dcferguson march November 25, 2014
Chants ranged from “No Peace, No Justice!”, “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!” to “Come downstairs.” Given how the crowd swelled from 500 to 2000 over the course of the protest, I like to think some residents answered our call.
Marchers leave Vermont Square and head towards the 395 tunnel, "Black lives matter" sign is visible, November 25th, 2014.
I will never experience the sort of disregard, disrespect, disappointment ... flat out dis, that non-whites experience in my life, and neither will my husband. We are white, college-educated, and have always had a family support structure to fall back on. Society told us we were the future. Our mistakes (which were many many many) were seen as hiccups, not reasonable cause for our deaths. “Consequences” are so drastically different depending on the color of one's skin in this county, it is as if there are two two very different judicial systems, one for white Americans and one for everybody else.
This is why we participated. We know the American dream and we know that it only remains in place if it is made available to everyone. During the march last night, everyone involved experienced the American dream. The chant “This is what democracy looks like” felt so right on.
DCferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
When I got home, the internet brought me back to the reality that non-white American’s live in everyday. Family members that I love on Facebook talking of the peaceful march in their hometown calling for “Open fire and get rid of the idiots!!!! Hose away the mess!” Other family members agreeing wholeheartedly via racial slurs....
Young woman displays her sign which reads "If racism is something you are sick of hearing about, imagine how exhausting it must be living it Every Day!" during dcferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
Given that ending racism must undoubtedly include those that are “not racist,” because they say “I am not racist” before making racist comments, this does not make me want to “unfriend” my family members. It makes me want to cry privately, march peacefully and fight tirelessly for this country. As our public education system is gutted, racism persists. I may well share those family members' feelings towards the protest if my mother didn’t send me to a private school (by working two jobs), insist I go to college, plead I see the world before marrying and flat out demand I make it a better place before having children.
Young girl riding piggy back on her moms back with her fist in the air and a smile on her face during dcferguson march November 25th, 2014.
I march peacefully for my future children. I march peacefully for all parents who just want to go to sleep knowing that local law enforcement is there to protect their family. I march peacefully for all of the lives we have lost to police brutality. I march peacefully for the officers that have lost their lives protecting neighborhoods across the country. I march peacefully for my family who may not understand my actions, but whose children will benefit from them. I march peacefully and chant “Hands Up! Guns Down! We’re doin’ this for Mike Brown!”
Marcher holds up hand drawn Mike Brown highschool graduation portrait sign that reads "R.I.P. Mike Brown, the picture they did not show" under Chinatown arch during dcferguson march November 25th, 2014.
Marcher holds up Fight the System sign as the march stops traffic for over an hour on 395S during dcferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
Marchers under the 395 tunnel sign downtown during dcferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
Marcher holds up sign that reads "This is a disgrace" as the dcferguson march turns towards the capitol, November 25th, 2014.
Marchers hold up signs that say "I am a man" and "Don't shoot" during dcferguson march, November 25th, 2014.
Know Justice, Know Peace sign under 5th ST NW dc during dcferguson march November 25th, 2014.
Marchers hold up "Stand with the people of Ferguson" and "Darren Wilson murdered Mike Brown" and "Love" signs at dcferguson march, November 25th 2014.
H ST NW residence on dcferguson march route November 25, 2014
Marchers hold up banner that reads "End racial profiling in DC" at dcferguson march November 25, 2014.
Stop police brutality sign at dcferguson march November 25, 2014