On New Year’s Eve, activists from the Black Lives Matter Coalition gathered in Chinatown to protest the killings of unarmed African Americans by the police. Their protest focused on the cases of Sandra Bland and Tamir Rice. A Texas Grand jury refused to indict the officers involved in the detention of Sandra Bland that ultimately led to her death. A grand jury in Ohio also decided that the murder of Tamir Rice did not warrant an indictment.
While activists are outraged by these non-indictments the Black Lives Matter Coalition remains committed to demanding justice for victims of police brutality in Washington, DC and the surrounding region including Alonzo Smith, Jason Goolsby, Ralphael Briscoe and Natasha McKinney.
Marching from Chinatown to 14th Street NW and U Street NW, activists shut down strategic intersections and vowed to turn up the pressure in the fight against police killings in 2016. One main message was that the District of Columbia needs to fund Black futures by providing better educational and economic opportunities and support for much needed social services in the city’s low-income African American communities. Intentions to fight Mayor Bowser’s plan to increase police powers to address a rise in crime rates were also on the agenda. Below are a few video highlights from the event.
The coalition that organized the New Year’s Eve shutdown of Chinatown includes Black Lives Matter DMV, Stop Police Terror Project DC, BYP 100, ONE DC, Black Movement Law Project, and Law 4 Black Lives. Everyone is encouraged to join one of these organizations.
In addition to a call for a greater investment in low-income Black communities, activists stressed the need to value all Black lives, including the many transgender women who are frequently attacked by police and members of the community in general. Representatives from the family of Tamir Rice spoke. Below is a video of a moving tribute to Sandra Bland by Marybeth Onyeukwu of the Organizing Neighborhood Equity DC.
The killing of unarmed Blacks by police in the District of Columbia have not reached national attention but they do exist. Alonzo Smith was a 27-year-old school teacher who died in custody at the hands of special police at the Marbury Market apartment complex in the 2300 block of Good Hope Road SE. His mother Beverly Smith talks about the details of the case in the video below.
Most victims of police brutality don’t die and their stories are never heard. Below United States military veteran Marilyn Wyche tells her story.
The District of Columbia is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. With most whites living in the western quadrants of the city and most African-Americans living in the eastern quadrants, Washington is also one of the most segregated. By locating the march and rally in Northwest D.C., organizers brought their message to those least likely to be affected by police brutality but also with the most power to end it. In the video below, Tiffany Flowers from ONE DC has some suggestions for white allies who participated in the march in large numbers.
One of my favorite moments of the night takes place in the video below.
