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?
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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