NYC FOR FERGUSON PROTEST 11/25/2014
I clocked out of work and as I was walking out I heard roaring. Literal roaring. They were chanting "Hands Up, Don't Shoot!" I ran outside to see a sea of people, mostly young people carrying signs, fists in the air, or had both hands raised in the air. They were stopping traffic on Times Square! The most congested intersection was put to a halt by a sea of angry, emotional and motivated people who had had enough.
So of course I joined the sea of people! The chants changed to "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" I was shouting with them and a liberating feeling came over me. It felt like I was shouting from the rooftops. All the emotion I had felt the night of the Grand Jury's announcement came out in my shouts. I had a voice. Someone was listening to me. I was heard...finally! We walked up Seventh Avenue and blocked traffic. Cars honked their horn in support or annoyance. Regardless of which, we cheered. A few drivers put their hands up through their windows and sunroofs. We rejoiced.
We stopped for a moment while a woman on a megaphone yelled phrases like "Black and Brown brothers and sisters, you have been gunned down!!" or "No racist police!" When they decided to keep moving the chants changed to "How do you spell racist? NYPD". I was a virgin protester watching people scream right next to these cops.
After a while I lost track of where I was walking. Ever so often I looked for a street sign so I could run for a train just in case things got out of hand. We walked in the street for another 15 minutes. We stopped traffic a few times. Whenever it wasn't our light to walk, a guy stood in front of on going traffic and made the cars wait for us to pass.
We reached Lincoln Square and I heard clapping ahead of me. I walked further and I saw people sitting in the street stopping traffic once again. Minute by minute more young people were planting themselves, clapping and chanting "Turn it up, don't turn it down we're doing this for Mike Brown!" Cars were of course blaring their horns but these young people would not moved. I stood there in shock and awe.
From there we made a few twists and turns and I left them around 72nd street. I hear they took over the West Side Highway! It was an incredible experience to be apart of and I will cherish it for a long time. Making a difference in form of protest is one way to have your voice be heard. Being proactive in the name of change will bring results.. Lets keep this going. Do not let this die down. Some of you made a difference on Black Friday, others of you got on your feet and marched. There's so much more that can be done. Turn your anger into action.
We've got to stay informed and continue fighting.
Love,
Evelyn
So of course I joined the sea of people! The chants changed to "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" I was shouting with them and a liberating feeling came over me. It felt like I was shouting from the rooftops. All the emotion I had felt the night of the Grand Jury's announcement came out in my shouts. I had a voice. Someone was listening to me. I was heard...finally! We walked up Seventh Avenue and blocked traffic. Cars honked their horn in support or annoyance. Regardless of which, we cheered. A few drivers put their hands up through their windows and sunroofs. We rejoiced.
We stopped for a moment while a woman on a megaphone yelled phrases like "Black and Brown brothers and sisters, you have been gunned down!!" or "No racist police!" When they decided to keep moving the chants changed to "How do you spell racist? NYPD". I was a virgin protester watching people scream right next to these cops.
I wondered how they must feel.
We reached Lincoln Square and I heard clapping ahead of me. I walked further and I saw people sitting in the street stopping traffic once again. Minute by minute more young people were planting themselves, clapping and chanting "Turn it up, don't turn it down we're doing this for Mike Brown!" Cars were of course blaring their horns but these young people would not moved. I stood there in shock and awe.From there we made a few twists and turns and I left them around 72nd street. I hear they took over the West Side Highway! It was an incredible experience to be apart of and I will cherish it for a long time. Making a difference in form of protest is one way to have your voice be heard. Being proactive in the name of change will bring results.. Lets keep this going. Do not let this die down. Some of you made a difference on Black Friday, others of you got on your feet and marched. There's so much more that can be done. Turn your anger into action.
We've got to stay informed and continue fighting.
Love,
Evelyn