I determinedly began documenting activism for Black Lives in 2006 during the protest march in the name of Sean Bell. He was killed on his wedding day in November 2006 by undercover NYPD in a hail of 50 unwarranted bullets.
Above, the resulting protest march in the name of Sean Bell—and other Black Men that were killed by police by that time. Marching from Fifth Avenue & 57th Street down to 34th Street (5th to 7th Avenues). It was spearheaded by Rev. Al Sharpton and other prominent Black Clergy and Activists. With weeks before Christmas, the march was dubbed “Shopping for Justice” on one of New York City’s most affluent avenues.
Upon hearing of the acquittal of three undercover NYPD Officers in the killing of Sean Bell, the National Action Network organized a slowdown protest march denouncing the acquittal. They made their objections known as loud as possible by blocking traffic at prominent New York City sites. Sean was a Queens Native. His killing took place in Queens. This demonstration was on the Manhattan side of the Queens Midtown Tunnel in response.
In May 2020, on seeing the video of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, like many other people—I couldn’t contain my anger. I knew I needed to channel that anger into something constructive in the same way I did in 2006. Documenting the people’s response to his murder. Here, with minimal descriptives are photographs from 2020 through 2021 in chronological order.
Co-leader Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson, daugher of Vy Higgenson at center.
”The Safest Communities, Have The Most Resources. Not The Most Cops.”
Qween Jean, prominent Black Lives Matter/Black Trans Activist/Leader.
I’m not able to unpack it all in just one newsletter, so will continue in a future one—soon. I’ve more than 10,000 photographs documenting Black Lives Matter throughout the years. I’m not able to show all 10,000 of course—these select few will represent them all.
The outrage over George Floyd’s killing was not isolated to just the Black population. People all across the world’s racial/religious/gender/affluence spectrums made their voices heard whether protesting, rallying, or writing their government representatives.
To know more, visit The Museum of the City of New York’s Activism Website. Or search the web for a comprehensive overview.
As always, I thank you for taking the time to read the whole newsletter through.
Til next time…
Kenneth