I Will Not Be Silent | Black Lives Matter Washington DC Protest

“I will not be silent,” are the words that Matthew wrote in chalk along with hundreds of others at Black Lives Matter Plaza, previously known as 16th Street, in Washington DC on Saturday, June 6, 2020. They echo the words “I can’t keep quiet,” that hundreds of women, environmentalists, scientists, Black Lives Matter protesters, and people of all walks of live chanted at the Women’s March on Washington just a few years prior. Although these movements trend in political circles, we recognize that human rights are not political; they’re ethical. And Black Lives Matter should not be controversial.

Only the coldest hearted of people have not been moved and devastated by the recent murders of innocent black lives. Ahmaud Arbery for jogging on the sidewalk. Breonna Taylor sleeping in her bed. George Floyd after stopping at a gas station. And we know, have known for years, that these are just a select few out of hundreds of cases of racism and police brutality over the past few years alone.

I knew that we were going to be protesting this week, as I believe it is important to get out in numbers to support a movement and bring attention to it in order to start change. But I didn’t know we would be making our way to Washington DC just yet. I knew we would go for a march when one was organized, but I had no idea we would be driving out there last minute this past Saturday morning. I planned on protesting in Hartford in front of the Connecticut Capital, but after watching Trump order the military to tear gas peaceful protesters outside the White House for a photo op (with a Bible no less), I knew we had to go. We needed as many people as we could get to go out there and show him that we will not give up or back down. We need to keep the momentum going.

After watching the videos of peaceful protesters and clergymen and women running from tear gas at the church on the corner of 16th Street in front of the White House, the mayor of DC renamed that corner Black Lives Matter Plaza. I like her style.

These are some of the photos I took at the recent protest. I always struggle with photographing certain events because I don’t want to feel like I’m taking a photo op or exploiting a movement, but in my years studying to be a photojournalist I learned the importance of documenting events as they are, for showing the truth, and for connecting people with each other to create lasting and positive change. I feel the same way about sharing photos of myself at protests. It feels like a photo op in some cases, but it also shows people who you are and what you believe in. It is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to inspire others to also protest and get out there. You cannot be what you cannot see. I encourage everyone who reads this to share their own protest photos to inspire your friends and communities.

It started off as a grey and rainy morning and turned into a hot and sunny 92 degrees Fahrenheit day in DC. There were twelve protests in DC alone; the most notable being in front of the Lincoln Memorial and on the newly renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza. Matthew and I went together, both feeling a great need to do something. We met up with Matthew’s friend Larry who lives nearby.

I’m sharing these photos and our story to show you a first hand account on the protests taking place, which is now the largest world-wide protest that has ever taken place. -Twelve protests in DC alone joined by protests in every single U.S. state and eighteen other countries. The entire day was full of love, kindness, and of course frustration, sadness, and anger. We all stood together in solidarity against racism to make a difference. Strangers supported each other. And together we made our voices heard.

As we walked in, hundreds of protesters were coming in from all directions. Families with small children, people on bicycles, friends, couples, and many people or all genders, ages, and ethnicities marching on their own. There was a strong military presence around the perimeter, especially around the Trump Hotel, but they kept a distance from the gatherings and watched from the outside.

The local businesses and churches supported the protests by displaying great signs, hiring artists to make murals on the boards in front of their buildings, and by handing out waters and offering places to rest, recharge phones, and use bathrooms.

A woman holds a “Love not hate makes America great,” poster as she marches past the heavily fenced and guarded Trump Hotel.

1.7 miles of fencing surrounded the White House and nearby buildings to keep people from being able to get too close. Trump did not want to have to see the protesters that he wants to silence. Much of the fencing has now been turned into temporary memorials for those who have been killed due to racism and police brutality.

Walking up to the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza where protesters were unlawfully chased out with tear gas several days before.

By 2 p.m. nearly 100,000 people filled the streets.

Protesters arrive in front of the White House. Thousands more are on their way.

A couple wears powerful “I can’t breathe,” face masks. Most of the protesters were wearing masks and handing them out to those who did not have them. No one wanted to be there during a pandemic, but everyone felt compelled to speak out. “Racism is a virus in itself,” many protest signs declared.

Standing on the star at the end of the newly painted Black Lives Matter street mural.

A protester shouts “Say her name!” and the crowd responds, “Breonna Taylor!”

A woman wearing a rainbow flag for pride month holds up a sign stating “Black Lives Matter.”

An intersection was completely cleared for people to write their own messages in chalk.

Matthew writes, “I will not be silent.”

So many friends and strangers reached out to me in kindness and support as I shared stories on Instagram about the protest. I also received a few from angry racists I know who were upset I was participating in the protest, further illustrating how we need to make greater strides in ending racism and making anti-racism a part of our every day, starting in our own circles and branching out.

Street artists were hired by local businesses to paint murals on the boards outside their buildings.

Dozens of groups handed out free water bottles, Gatorades, snacks, masks, sanitizer, and medical supplies. People on bicycles carted in coolers of iced water.

A woman wears a sign on her back letting others know that she will protect them if needed.

Matthew and Larry take a knee with hundreds of others at the Black Lives Matter Plaza as a group of Harvard students leads a protest with megaphones.

Guards stand watch on the roof tops of buildings.

We made our 1.5 mile walk back around 8 p.m. because we had a long five hour drive ahead of us. Matthew and I ended up sleeping in the back of our vehicle with the seats folded down at a rest stop and continued our drive at 6:30 the following morning.

Where have you been protesting? Share your stories and photos in the comments below.