I had the day off Monday and decided to have brunch with a friend near Union Square. When I exited the subway there were tons of police placing barricade fences all around the park, the ones that they usually set up for parades. I walked over to a policeman and asked “what’s going on"? He says “they’re protesting”. “Protesting what” I ask back. “It’s Martin Luther King Day” was his response.
I shrugged my shoulders and went on my way. The photographer inside me thought this might be a nice photo op, I did after all have my camera on me. I secretly hoped that whatever was going on would still be going on later. So after brunch, as I approached the park, thankfully there were still lots of people gathering by the open expanse on 14th Street. Now I could see for myself what this was all about - they were protesting police violence. I smiled to myself thinking what I had asked that policeman, funny he didn’t say.
Peaceful Protest
This is not a political commentary, but instead one of unity. To me there seemed to be more white people than black - I was proud of that. No matter how you feel about what has been happening in the news lately, or who's side you're on, I can’t condone violence of any kind. People of all races came together that day to support one another in peace.
George Stands Guard
“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
~ George Washington
Bouton Du Jour
Martin Luther King’s Birthday was commemorated with a “die-in”. People began to all lay down on the ground to simulate and pay homage to those who had passed away.
Down But Not Out
For the hundreds that had gathered that day in Union Square it was truly a remembrance celebration. It concluded in a 4-mile protest march, heading downtown via Broadway, through lower Manhattan.
Do Unto Others
But in the end, I think this sums it all up…
All Lives Do Matter
Susan Marie