Race/Racism

On the 24th of April, Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets nationally to demand that police departments and policing be abolished. It's not enough to convict a single cop for murder when more mostly young Black and Brown people are being shot and otherwise killed by cops every day. One of these protests was in DC, and during this protest it was pointed out that 1 in 3 Black people killed by a stranger is killed by a cop.

Video-cops in Blue Lives Matter masks block Metrobus 57 sec

Update: verdict reached, Chauvin GUILTY on all counts, taken to jail

On the 20th of April,about 250 National Guard troops were activiated to "assist law enforcement" against BLM protests in the wake of the coming verdict in the Chauvin case. Already police have been meeting protests for Duante Wright with insane numbers of police and wrongful arrests followed by dropped charges. Mainstream media is predicting another "long, hot summer" and they are NOT talking about the weather.

On the 17th of April. a large and furious crowd gathered at BLM Plaza for a march against the police murders of Duante Wright, George Floyd (whose killer may be acquitted in days), and so many more. Wealthy diners were confronted and in one incident a powerful firework landed in or near them. Later, as the march descended on MPD's 3D headquarters, cops began shoving protesters and at least one arrest was reported.

Video of the march including one of the police attacks, the march on MPD and the fake kettle 5 min 22 sec

On the 10th of April, a Fuck the Police (FTP) march gathered at Takoma Park Metro, then crossed into MD and marched through Takoma Park and Silver Spring to protest Montgomery County police officers Dionne Holliday and Kevin Christmon handcuffing a 5 year old boy and threatening him with a beating for wandering away from school. The march faced little police opposition, perhaps out of shame.