Peaceful Crowd Protests Police Violence In The United States

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More than ten thousand demonstrators swept on Saturday June 6 in Washington in a friendly atmosphere to denounce police brutality and racial injustices. Unprecedented mobilization since the start of the protest movement.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

A human tide descending from Congress to the White House, processions flocking from the Lincoln Memorial, thousands of people seated on the Mall who respect eight minutes of silence in memory of George Floyd , debonair police officers who greet the crowd. More than ten thousand people marched through the capital all day Saturday and a good part of the evening in peace, often with family.

No less than twelve different processions converged from the most important monuments of the capital to the White House protected by a long fortified enclosure. But the atmosphere was festive. Washington celebrated its unity behind the slogan, at the celebration of unity behind this slogan "Black lives matter".

"  I am surprised to see so many white people  "

Moktar Ba, an American of Beninese origin, is all smiles in front of the White House. "  It's really beautiful, I'm surprised to see so many white people, not only here but in the markets all over the United States," he explains. I grew up here and have never seen so many whites. Usually they don't say anything or they turn their backs and then it looks like everyone understands.  "

"  It is truly an amazing experience to see so many people coming together to support equality for all," said Joyce Stefield, an African American from neighboring Maryland.  Because it's not just an American problem, it's a global problem. People everywhere with black or dark skin are systematically looked down upon. So it's a very nice thing to see this. "

"  We won't stop until we get change  "

At the corner of 16th Street, renamed "Black Lives Matter Plaza" , musicians make the crowd dance. Romolio James wears a George Floyd t-shirt. "  We won't stop until we get change. We are going to fight for change, until we get what we want,  ”he repeats.

Joyce Stefield is hopeful that this movement will really change things. “  There have been movements like this one for years in defense of civil rights, but this time it looks different, because we see so much diversity among the people who demonstrate. People from all walks of life came out of their homes to support us, to support the lives of blacks and I find it great, she says. It will take more than that, but it is a beautiful first step and I hope it will bring change in everyday life. And that the people who came here will apply this in their daily practice: if they see someone discriminated against, let them intervene. In many cases people of color have no one at the top to defend them. So I hope this will help people change their minds and be more vigilant.  "

A sign of appeasement after the riots earlier this week, the police deployed to monitor the crowd were not wearing safety equipment. This good-natured atmosphere did not prevent the president from tweeting “  Law and order  ” in capital letters at the end of the afternoon before ensuring later in the evening that the mobilization had been much less significant than ad.

LAW & ORDER!

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• United States
• Racism
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