Protests In Support of the Black Lives Matter Movement Go Global
Communities across the world continue to protest in solidarity with Americans who have been protesting the loss of black lives, including that of George Floyd, at the hands of police officers. Floyd died as he pleaded “I can’t breathe” on May 25 as one police officer knelt on his neck in a move condemned by police officials across the nation.
Crowds take a knee at a Justice for Black Lives protest in London's Trafalgar Square today.
Protests began in Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota, but quickly spread across the US as people took to the streets to protest the death of Floyd and the deaths of other black men and women around the country at the hands of police including the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McCade. - deaths that, many feel, have not been properly investigated due to the race of the victims.
Protests have spread across the world to Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Syria, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Poland, and Australia. While the specifics of the protest vary in each country, from walk out demonstrations, to vigils, to a public Haka in New Zealand, the message of solidarity in undeniable.
The protestors have been met with mixed reactions from local law enforcement and, in some cities, the National Guard had been deployed to help keep the peace. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, tear gassed a group of peaceful protestors in order to hold a Bible in front of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington church, an action that inspired criticism and confusion.
As of now, officers involved in the murder of George Floyd have been charged and an independent medical examiner confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death. Meanwhile the protests have continued in order to continue to inspire change. Protestors in several cities, including Dallas and DC have presented a list of demands that they feel will help protect people of color, and especially black people, being victims of their local police department in the future. Demands for changes in police training and for investigations of police crimes against the black community, and communities of color.
