THIS WEEK IN PROTEST — BLACK LIVES MATTER. MARCH 26, 2016.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER comes to Toronto to fight against police brutality. Is the movement going to change Canadian police?
#BlackLivesMatter is kicking off in Canada now! This post is dedicated to people who are standing for justice in Toronto right now.
About: Each week, people around the world take streets of their cities to remind their governments that their voices matter. In this series I want to collect the best images from protests around the world.
TRENDING HASHTAGS — #blmtoblackout #blmtotentcity
BRIEF
Over one thousand residents of the city of Toronto have gathered in front of the police headqurters of their city to stop police violence against the black population.
The public outrage came after the city’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which is charged with investigating incidents in which police injure or kill civilians, decided not to indict or even name the officer involved in the deadly shooting of 45-year-old Sudanese immigrant Andrew Loku in a Toronto apartment building last year.
What’s happening?
The protests started last Sunday at 6pm at city hall. Protestors decided to continue in front of police headquarters for international Day for elimination of racial discrimination. They had a peaceful protest when they were ambushed by the police on Monday march 21st.
This is their 8th day camped outside of police headquarters
The demonstration was joined by several other minority groups which support the #BlackLivesMatter movement. There were people from Sikh, Chinese and Vietnamese minorities who expressed their solidarity against police brutality.
The rally was accompanied with drum rhythms and dances — photos of which you will see below
Above: One of the leaders of the rally is chanting slogans “Justice for Black Lives! End the police brutality.”
Below: The member of Asian community expresses solidarity with the movement by adding “Black Lives Matter sign to the wall.”
Protester’s words:
“We’re going to be here for as long as the community wants to be here…. The purpose of this is to make sure that we have intersections of different communities coming together to work in solidarity to combat anti-blackness.”
~ Alexandria Williams, a co-founder of Black Live Matters’ (BLM) Toronto branch.
“I saw the Facebook event on my feed: “BLMTO BlackOUT Against Police Brutality” and I knew that I had to go. I knew that this was going to be historic. I knew that my activism and deep feelings on the topic of Black Lives Matter couldn’t start and end on Twitter.”
~ Queosha, activist and photographer. (Check out her blog here, it’s great)
“Toronto police routinely harass & intimidate poor and/or racialized people. There have been many innocent (usually black) people who have been shot to death! These officers face no consequences. Please support #BLMTOtentcity!”
~Aphiraa, visual artist and activist.
FACT SHEET:
Black Lives Matter Movement was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrice Cullors and Opal Tometi in 2013.
Black Lives Matter is often called “the fastest growing political movement in the U.S.”
The movement started to expand to other countries with the problems of police brutality against the black population — including Australia, UK and Canada.
Toronto demonstration over the weekend gathered 1000+ people from all backgrounds.
The leader of the Toronto branch of Black Lives Matter movement is Alexandria Williams.
Follow Toronto branch of Black Lives Matter movement on Facebook or Twitter.
What people at the protest say?
“If you are silent in situations of injustice, You have chosen the side of the opressor”
“Is my son next?”
“Sikh community supports Black Lives Matter.”
What Can Happen?
Black Lives Matter started as a movement against police violence against black people. Its growth has impressed many experts of social movements. In over two years, the movement got known across the world and its ranks have expanded from a local LA movement to a political force that now points to authorities their mistakes.
As long as the issue of violence by the police against black people will exist — the ranks of Black Lives Matter will continue to expand.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
This post wouldn’t be possible without of help of great ‘Instagrammers’ who agreed to share their photos to make this post.
Don’t miss the next protest:
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