MASSIVE PROTEST IN WASHINGTON AGAINST KILLINGS OF INNOCENT BLACK PEOPLE. WASHINGTON (AP) — Demonstrators nationwide protesting the fatal shootings of unarmed black men killed by police chanted I cant breathe! Hands up, dont shoot! and waved signs that read Black lives matter! as family members of three victims packed a stage in front of the U.S. Capitol, urging thousands of supportive marchers to keep pressing for changes to the criminal justice system. The march in Washington on Saturday — attended by family members for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, who were killed by police in recent months, and Amadou Diallo, who was fatally shot by police more than 15 years ago — coincided with nationwide demonstrations that spanned from iconic Fifth Avenue in New York to the streets of San Francisco and the steps of the Boston Statehouse. Most were peaceful protests, although about two dozen people were arrested in the Massachusetts capital for disorderly conduct. My husband was a quiet man, but hes making a lot of noise right now, said Washington protest marcher Esaw Garner, widow of Eric Garner, 43, who died in July after being put in a chokehold by New York City police during an arrest for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. His voice will be heard. I have five children in this world and we are fighting not just for him but for everybodys future, for everybodys past, for everybodys present, and we need to make it strong. Nationally, chanting demonstrators also staged die-ins as they lay down across intersections and in one city briefly scuffled with police blocking an onramp to a highway. New York City police said two officers were assaulted by protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge when they tried to arrest a man who was attempting to toss a garbage can onto police officers below. Some marchers then blocked traffic on the bridge for about an hour. Police said the officers were treated for bumps and bruises, including a broken nose. Police say there have been no arrests in that incident, but a backpack full of hammers and a mask was found. Organizers had predicted 5,000 people at the Washington march, but the crowd appeared to far outnumber that. They later said they believed as many as 25,000 had shown up. It was not possible to verify the numbers; Washington police do not release crowd estimates. Garners mother, Gwen Carr, called the demonstrations a history-making moment. Its just so overwhelming to see all who have come to stand with us today, she said. I mean, look at the masses. Black, white, all races, all religions. ... We need to stand like this at all times. Joining the Garners in Washington were speakers from the family of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old killed in Ohio as he played with a pellet gun in a park, and the mother of Amadou Diallo, who in 1999 was shot and killed in the Bronx by four New York City police officers. Diallos mother, Kadiatou Diallo, reflected on how the same issues being debated today were debated when her son was killed more than 15 years ago. Weve been there so many times, she said. Today we are standing still and demanding the same thing. The Rev. Al Sharpton helped organize the marches. Members of Congress, beware were serious ..., Sharpton said in Washington. When you get a ring-ding on Christmas, it might not be Santa; it may be Rev. Al coming to your house. Several speakers asked the crowd to chant, I cant breathe. Garner, 43, had gasped those words before his death. Some protesters also wore those words on shirts. - Bas Chukwuemeka Bijleveld And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. John 8:32 youtu.be/UjJTFKSALdM
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:27:19 +0000
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