Host intro: It’s been over two months since the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests erupted across all 50 states. Although media reports have dwindled, organized demonstrations for racial justice continue to persist. Lily Sexton spoke to one of the organizers of a New York Protest to get to know more about the movement.
Fade in: Black Lives Matter Chant from protest
Lily: I’m here with Ian Ward at the Pulaski Bridge in Brooklyn as he prepares for another protest as a part of the Black Lives Matter movement to fight for racial justice. Today marks the 66th day of protests and still hundreds of people have come to show their support for the movement.
Ian: I really believe the current Black Lives Matter protests are going to be a permanent mark on this country. As you can see, just because the media is done reporting we are not done fighting for racial justice. The people are mad. People are waking up and recognizing their privilege and other people are – for the first time – having their voices heard.
Track: CJ Marine, another protester, also voiced their concerns about what they say is an inaccurate portrayal of the protests by the media.
CJ: On both left and right wing networks they’ve only shown the violent parts of the protest and they only focus on the property being seized, when in reality were fighting for radical change within the system.
Track: And protester Huge Escobar chimed in as well.
Hugo: People are so quick to report a storefront but when it comes to a human life, they don’t care.
CJ: Because they want more eyeballs on the screen and violence attracts eyeballs.
Track: While media attention would be helpful, it doesn’t hinder these activists efforts to continue to demand change through protests.
Ian: People are still watching. Everyone is watching. This week the case for Elijah McClain was reopened, who was murdered at the hands of police almost a year ago for getting an iced tea for his brother. And what about Tamir Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland. The list goes on and on – and so will this movement.
Fade in: Power to the People Chant
Track: As they say, they aren’t letting up the protests anytime soon. Just this weekend, there are more protests scheduled for Tiffany Harris at Saint James Park, Anti-Racism March at Brooklyn Borough Hall and a ceremony for Eric Gardner at McCarren Park. For Baruch College, this is Lily Sexton in Brooklyn.