America’s Modern Day Civil Rights Movement
In July, Eric Garner, a New Yorker was killed by an NYPD officer when he was restrained using a maneuver that had been banned by the force years prior, sparking dialogue around civil rights. The encounter was caught on camera by Garner’s friend and used as evidence in court. On December 3, five months after the incident, the police officer was not indicted by the Grand Jury, sparking the anger of many Americans and fueling protests.
In cities across the United States, protesters filled the streets armed with placards and their voices. Their goal? Simple–the recognition of their civil rights. CNN reports that these civil rights protests occurred in Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Manhattan. They described the scene as reminiscent of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Thousands of persons gathered in the streets, blocking off roadways, others held sit ins. They all chanted, “Black lives matter,” an ode to the underlying issue of race that many feel is behind the recent fatal police-civilian encounters.
“After the decision, I think some of us were so fallen…But then, when you see this diverse group of people sort of gathering together and saying this is fundamentally unfair and taking to the streets, it sort of reconfirms our faith in our society, in our values.” – Cornell Belcher via CNN
The recent decision to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo was like oxygen to a dying flame–after years of enduring injustice, Americans have had enough. And even though, “Black lives matter” dominate the civil rights protest chants, this call for civil rights is not just for African Americans. This has sparked a conversation about how minorities are dealt with by law enforcement in a country where Police Officers seem to be above the law.
“It’s happening in every city, every town. It’s happening here in Pittsburgh.” – CNN
The crowds in the various cities were diverse. On the second night of civil rights protests in New York many came together in an act of solidarity in what seemed to be an organized protest. In this arena, race was not an issue.
I’m looking at the faces of protest. They are different colors. They are in different cities. Everything is different except the looks on their faces. They are the same. They are not looks of resignation, but looks of resolve. – The Detroit Free Press
Higher up, persons are seeking the intervention of federal government in their civil rights activism. According to The Huffington Post, Rev. Al Sharpton along with other civil rights leaders will be organizing a march in Washington to urge the federal government to play a hand in the prosecution of police officers who have been charged for criminal offenses.
This is a rebirth of the civil rights movement. This is more than Eric Garner; more than Michael Brown; more than Tamir Rice. This surpasses race and is more than skin deep. The injustice of the system is stifling, and Americans can’t breathe.
