Walking in
Peace By Clarice Jones
M
MAY 25, 2020, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN was killed by Minneapolis police. “Please let me stand up. I can’t breathe.” With Minnesota officer Derek Chauvin, kneeling on top of him with his knee plunged on the artery of his neck, George Floyd pleaded for his life. He cried out, “Mama.” A video recording was played on national television of George’s killing. After the world viewed that video, the world reacted. The video showing Chauvin putting his knee and body weight on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes was the cause of his death. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African-American man, was shot and killed in Brunswick, Georgia while jogging in his neighborhood. Arbery was pursued by 2 white men. One of the white men was former police offer accompanied by his son. These 2 men were in their pick-up truck. They followed Arbery, blocked him in, and shot him. This incident was also recorded. These 2 murders have had a nationwide cry out to help blacks stay alive. Protestors from California to New York are crying out, “Black Lives Matter.” The peaceful protest includes all nationalities. White people are standing in front of their black brothers and yelling, “Black Lives Matter.” Voices are being heard and change is coming. All white suspects have been arrested for these 2 murders and protester will continue to picket until prosecution is complete. Protesters say, “The problem is people aren’t listening, people are taking us for granted. People still don’t see it’s wrong for police to kill people.” Another protestor says, “I am afraid to have my son leave the house. When he drives, police profile him as a young black kid driving a luxury car. They pull him over and harass him. This has to stop. Black lives matter, all lives matter. Police have to stop being prejudice. Police should be charged for profiling blacks. It’s a form of harassment.”
8 OASIS/Montagé • July/August 2020
