Organizers of the Ferguson, Mo., protests who attended Al Sharpton’s #MarchForJustice event in Washington, D.C., Saturday morning were appalled to find themselves kept at a distance from the “VIP area” and media stage by heavy security. Honestly, though; how could that have come as a surprise to anyone familiar with Sharpton?
Fortunately for attendees of the #MillionsMarchNYC, Sharpton can’t be in two places at once. Protesters met up at New York City’s Washington Square Park at 1 p.m. and began marching at 2 in the absence of speeches.
I am hearing estimates over 50,000+ people at the #MillionsMarchNYC. This is not confirmed, but the march is over 30 blocks long…
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 13, 2014
Initial estimates to NYC officials 27,000 people joined #MillionMarchNYC
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) December 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/Birdswatcher/status/543851986790416384
Huge Crowd Marching #MillionsMarchNYC @BuzzFeedNews pic.twitter.com/GlPdXiWSdO
— Pelosi Stan Account Lnonblonde™ (@Lnonblonde) December 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/Timcast/status/543857397866196992
Here’s a sign we haven’t seen before: “Real thugs wear flag pins.”
Brilliant!
Real Thugs Wear Flag Pins #MillionsMarchNYC pic.twitter.com/W5GzoGCd8q— Pelosi Stan Account Lnonblonde™ (@Lnonblonde) December 13, 2014
Other carried a blown-up photo of Eric Garner’s eyes.
https://twitter.com/anaserhall/status/543860437104594945
Leading the march: A black man in chains. #millionsmarchNYC https://t.co/6HLaxrY2FW
— Robshaun (@RobTakeOver) December 13, 2014
#MillionsMarchNYC today; queens, too. pic.twitter.com/TikQ7joXhw
— julia longoria (@hooliwho) December 13, 2014
“White allies” have previously been presented with their list of roles and responsibilities when protesting, but a few were chided for not complying. Is it true that the phrase “all people matter” is disrespectful, if not downright offensive?
As we chant "Black lives matter", some white "allies" are chanting "all lives matter". #MillionsMarchNYC
— zellie (@zellieimani) December 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/KinxD_sse/status/543871472343990272
https://twitter.com/gparsod/status/543847676941697025
Fuck em. RT @zellieimani: As we chant "Black lives matter", some white "allies" are chanting "all lives matter". #MillionsMarchNYC
— Extra regular. (@Barbd_Wyre) December 13, 2014
Mf snakes ! RT @zellieimani: As we chant "Black lives matter", some white "allies" are chanting "all lives matter". #MillionsMarchNYC
— ✨Flawful ✨ (@BrandyLuvli) December 13, 2014
@ white chick handing out "we can't breathe" signs- you CAN breathe. not about you #MillionsMarchNYC
— alex ⟡*·_ ☭ (@cubeghost) December 13, 2014
#MillionsMarchNYC also @ fellow white people: stop smiling, stop saying "i can't breathe" and "our streets"
— alex ⟡*·_ ☭ (@cubeghost) December 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/halemcsharry/status/543862964252839937
White ppl handing out issues of Socialist Worker & posing 4 pics w/ signs that say "I pledge to work to end racism." NO. #MillionsMarchNYC
— stella ? (@stellaboonshoft) December 13, 2014
White People: The "Whose Streets? our Streets" chant is not for you. #MillionsMarchNYC
— Hilary Kissinger (@HilaryKissinger) December 13, 2014
Something really scary about white people screaming "our streets" #MillionsMarchNYC
— Sharmin Ultra (@sharminultraa) December 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/youngmacaanto/status/543847253320806400
white ppl please think about your behavior at #MillionsMarchNYC considering it is protesting a system u benefit from
— garlic stuffed olive (@sadmillennium) December 13, 2014
Just saw a white girl holding an "All Lives Matter" sign. You're at the wrong protest. #MillionsMarchNYC #BlackLivesMatter
— Lucy Parks (@ParksLucifer) December 13, 2014
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Related:
‘So much for equality’: ‘White allies’ shown list of protest ‘roles & responsibilities’
Cornell University police chief apologizes for using ‘disrespectful’ #AllLivesMatter
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