“I can’t breathe… Don’t kill me…”
Last words uttered by George Floyd, an African-American pinned to the floor by a police officer’s knee on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After this horrific event circulated on social media, a violent protest sparked and caused outrage to a lot of people online including celebrities crying for justice.
According to the New York Time’s report, the White House went dark caused by the protesters raged nearby, turning off almost all of its external lights, as protesters seethed in dozens of cities, again defying curfews to demonstrate against police brutality following the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Protests over racism and police violence have erupted in at least 140 cities across the United States in the days after George Floyd, a black man, died in police custody. Some of the demonstrations have turned violent, prompting the activation of the National Guard in at least 21 states.
Living its advocacy to protect black lives, #BlackLivesMatter movement, originated in the African-American community, has been facing battles for years to free the world from state-inflicted violence against black people. Here are some examples of worst racial and community violence incidents in the past:
I CAN’T BREATHE
There was another “I can’t breathe” dreadful event that happened on July 17, 2014 whereas Eric Gardner, 43 was killed by a NYPD officer after being put in a chokehold on the side of the road, This was time when the I can’t breathe phrase became a key part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE
Photo from CNN
On May 21, 1921, The Tulsa Race Massacre happened in the affluent black community of Greenwood in Tulsa known as the Black Wall Street. Outnumbered African Americans retreated to Greenwood District, but early morning the next day, a white mob started to loot and burn businesses in Greenwood, according to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.
In a span of just 24 hours, 35 square blocks were burned and over 1,200 houses destroyed. Contemporary reports of deaths began at 36, but historians now believe as many as 300 people died, according to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.
And just in time for Pride Month celebration, the said movement had actually helped and contributed a lot for gay rights in America. On June 28, 1969, a riot broke out in front of the Stonewall in the New York City. The violent protest became known as the Stonewall Riots which was led by the black transwomen.
THE ROOTS OF THE STONEWALL RIOTS
In the 1950’s and 60’s, homosexuality was still considered sodomy and illegal in 49 states. The punishments varied greatly by state, ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment.
In society, members of the gay community were often subject to violence, harassment and discrimination. In New York City, gay bars were havens for people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, places where they could avoid harassment and violence.
The Stonewall Inn served as a popular refuge. The Stonewall Inn was owned by the mafia. The mafia bribed the police to look the other way. In turn, the mafia made money overcharging patrons for drinks. Even so, the patrons were not fully safe from homophobia and discrimination. The mafia would extort wealthy patrons, threatening to out them to their employers and families.
Despite the mafia’s bribes, the police still regularly raided the Stonewall Inn and other gay bars charging them with solicitation of homosexual relations. Trans and other gender non-conforming people were also targeted, subjected to violence and arrested if they weren’t wearing what the police deemed gender appropriate clothing.
On the day of the Stonewall Riots, nine police officers entered the Stonewall Inn in a raid. The patrons were fed up. Outside the bar, people in hundreds began rioting. The policemen retreated from the crowd and locked themselves inside the Stonewall Inn. The riots did not stop that day but continued until July 1st.
Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride are just one of few movements that continuously advocate to fight and campaign against violence, discrimination, systemic racism to affirm a safe space and world for EVERYONE.
References: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-14/black-lives-matter-timeline/7585856?nw=0
https://mashable.com/2016/08/10/black-lives-matter-mike-brown-ferguson-timeline/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-live-updates.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/01/us/tulsa-race-massacre-1921-99th-anniversary-trnd/index.html
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