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Black lives matter: Protest movement against racism, oppression and police brutality sweeps across America

Since the death of George Floyd in Minnesota – a black man brutally murdered at the hands of a white police officer – protests and uprisings have swept across all 50 American states against endemic racism, oppression and the unchecked power and violence of the police. Most have been peaceful movements filled with anger and sadness; many have been met with the same police brutality they are marching against. Vigils held in memory of George Floyd have become remembrances and a rallying cry for all black and brown people – from Eric Garner, to Breonna Taylor, and countless others – whose lives have been snatched from them unprovoked by law enforcement and white supremacists. The protests have even spread throughout the world – people standing in solidarity against this injustice and inequality calling out “black lives matter”.

Staff, freelancers and volunteers from US-based street papers were present at a number of protests across the country. Street papers stand with activists for the social change they seek: an end to oppression and deep-rooted, systemic inequalities. That imbalance has been thrown into stark focus this year by the coronavirus pandemic, as people from minority communities have experienced disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 deaths. It has been highlighted by the slow rush to proper justice for young black men and women, like Ahmaud Arbery, shot to death by white men in broad daylight.

The following are snapshots from protests in Washington DC, Portland, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Chicago and Seattle that took place since the death of George Floyd.

Protestors in Oklahoma City shut down a busy intersection during a demonstration on May 30, 2020 Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle. Protestors in Oklahoma City shut down a busy intersection during a demonstration on May 30, 2020. Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle. Protestors in Oklahoma surround the Oklahoma State Capitol building on May 31, 2020. Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle. A protestor stands atop the Oklahoma State Capitol building stairs on May 31, 2020. Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle. A sign hangs around the neck of a statue at the Oklahoma State Capitol building on May 31, 2020. Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle. A group of six local teens, Teens for Equality, organized a massive march through downtown Nashville on Thursday, June 4. During the march, protesters walked behind a huge, Black Lives Matter banner and read the names of people who have been killed by police including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. [By Alvine / The Contributor] A group of six local teens, Teens for Equality, organized a massive march through downtown Nashville on Thursday, June 4. During the march, protesters walked behind a huge, Black Lives Matter banner and read the names of people who have been killed by police including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. [By Alvine / The Contributor] Protesters gather around Seattle’s Westlake Park to hear speeches and rally in response to the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, and to support all Black people who have been killed or harmed in the police violence endemic of American racism. 30 May. [Photo by Susan Fried/Real Change] A Seattle protester holds a sign quoting the last words of both George Floyd and Eric Garner — Black men who were killed by white police officers, Floyd in Minneapolis and Garner in New York. 30 May. [Credit: Mark White/Real Change] Police launch pepper spray and tear gas at protesters who writhed and doused their faces with milk to ease the pain. Anecdotes, including firsthand reports and social media posts, placed the blame on police; city officials said protesters started the violence. 30 May [Credit: Mark White/Real Change] 6pm vigil for George Floyd in Portland, Oregon. 29 May. [Credit: Diego Diaz / Street Roots] 6pm vigil for George Floyd in Portland, Oregon. 29 May. [Credit: Diego Diaz / Street Roots] Saturday, 6 June Malcolm X Park to Lafayette Square via 16th Street NW march, Washington DC. [Cody Bahn/Street Sense] Saturday, 6 June Malcolm X Park to Lafayette Square via 16th Street NW march, Washington DC. [Cody Bahn/Street Sense] Moon - homeless in DC - with a sign for protest. [Credit: Benjamin Burgess / K Street Photography / Street Sense] Holding a banner bearing George Floyd's face and name, faith leaders from across the Chicago area marched down Martin Luther King Drive in Bronzeville. [Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/StreetWise] A protester holds a memorial sign for Breonna Taylor, which reads "In unity of her beauty, we say her name." [Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/StreetWise] A woman holds her fist in the air as thousands march peacefully down Martin Luther King Drive. [Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/StreetWise] Protesters in the streets of Uptown. [Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/StreetWise] A woman wears a protective mask with George Floyd's last words, "I Can't Breathe," written on it. [Kathleen Hinkel/StreetWise]

With thanks: to Street Roots, Street Sense, Real Change, The Contributor, The Curbside Chronicle and StreetWise.