Occupy City Hall // Day 3
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Since the start of the occupation on Tuesday, the crowd has quadrupled in size - expanding far beyond the small patch of grass where this all started. The park had become a 100% self sustaining community complete with charging stations, an art department, a full kitchen, roaming medics, voting sign ups, supply booths, and even a public library. Education is a huge part of this movement, with teach ins + group discussions surrounding race, the abolitionist movement, government, voting, and demonstration tactics, happening 24/7.
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With June 30th rapidly approaching, organizers continue to push their agenda to defund the NYPD by 1 billion, or roughly 1/6th of their overall yearly budget.
George Floyd Police Riots - Brooklyn Bridge - June 19th
George Floyd Demonstrations // June 19th, 2020 // Brooklyn Bridge/Lower Manhattan
George Floyd Police Riots - FDR Highway - June 5th
Midtown // Washington Sq Park // FDR // East Village // Union Sq // 100% peaceful
George Floyd Police Riots - Grand Army Plaza - June 4th
George Floyd Demonstrations // Day 7 // June 5th, 2020 // Grand Army Plaza
Contrary to some mainstream media outlets, the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful over the past five days in New York. Protest organizers, and a generation of young activists, have stepped up to ensure peaceful demonstrations continue with the proper leadership and planning. With looting and riots still dominating the headlines days after demonstrations became orderly, activists are fighting to have their voice be heard above all the sensationalism.
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This weekend, thousands marched in 25+ protests across all five boroughs - reinforcing a message of peace and determination. Marches are already planned for next weekend nationwide. More coverage from this weekend to follow
George Floyd Police Riots - Bushwick - June 3rd
George Floyd Protests // Day 6 // Bushwick - June 3rd, 2020 // #justiceforgeorgefloyd
Yesterday, demonstrations finally made it to my neighborhood - with a 100% peaceful protest marching its way through Bushwick and East Williamsburg. Motivational speakers led the charge with discussions of voting, policy change, and political reform echoing throughout the streets bordering Maria Hernandez Park. It was an inspiring evening - showing the potential of peaceful activism moving forward.