In Their Words:
Protesting for George Floyd

Guy Barnes

^{Washington, DC}

“My community is not a monolith. Being black, gay and active duty, I’ve seen my fair share of injustices. Our beauty is in our diversity, but our power is in our unity. I march so that the death of George Floyd, and countless other known and unknown, will not be in vain.”

Ashlee Kelley

^{Spring, Texas}

“As a bi-racial woman, I feel the constant pull of my privilege at the cost of my own suffering. The suffering of my family, of people I do not know. It’s a perspective that I am so thankful for, but builds a type of pain that will forever be unfathomable to many.”

Rachel Kedl

^{Lamberton, Minn.}

“I come from a mixed-race family and growing up the best reminder my dad ever gave me was that there is only one race: the human race. Being mixed I didn’t identify as either black or white but just as Rachel. I speak out because I have four black nieces/nephews and I pray they can grow up without the same fears the black community is facing today.”

Anthony Foster

^{Kansas City, Kan.}

“I’m not able to but I support the young people who are. I grew up in Arkansas in the 60s. I want safety for my grandchildren before I die.”

Charah Coleman

^California

“I am protesting because collectively our voices will create the critical mass required for real social justice and restorative change within black communities.”

Jasmyn Rogers-Turner

^{Columbus, Ohio}

“I am raising a 7-year-old black son with autism spectrum disorder. If you ask his favorite color, singular, he will reply "red white and blue like the American flag." At only 7 he loves this country but it doesn't love him back. He is not safe, we are not safe, and we are fighting for our children and their children.”

Brittney Johnson

^{Los Angeles}

“It's about more than police brutality, George Floyd's death is just a symptom of American institutions. I protest for the entire black community and my future black children because we deserve to live and thrive. I protest because I don't have the privilege of remaining silent, I protest to educate and to demonstrate why voting matters.”

Tara McArthur

^{Louisville, Ky.}

“At any given moment this situation could have been my father, brother, son, uncle, boyfriend ... at any given moment, when does it end? I protest for their lives, not just myself. I am tired of being looked at as expendable ... Black Lives Matter.”

Kai-Jere Ross

^{New York, N.Y.}

“I rally because I have had enough. I grew hyper-aware of the death sentence my skin color had, the target it painted on my back. I see it everyday in the lives taken from us. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd. I rally for them, in their honor, I also rally for myself and for my black family members. Wondering if they'll be next.”

Cynthia Young

^{Baton Rouge, La.}

“I believe it's my responsibility and duty as a black woman to take a stand against injustice in America. It's time to end the killing of black men and women by police officers in this country.”

Kymberly Hartfield

^{Marietta, Ga.}

“I'll be 45 next month, and I've been protesting against racism ever since I first experienced it in the third grade, perpetrated by the school system. Police brutality is ENDEMIC, so I'm marching for George Floyd because I WILL BE DAMNED if my 5-month-old grandson grows up to become a hashtag!”

Zachary Boyce

^{Raleigh, N.C.}

“I protest for George Floyd for the same reason I am joining law school at Campbell Law this fall as a first-generation college student. I protest for George Floyd because we are battling the same white supremacist systems that our ancestors were enslaved under. The property being damaged during these protests doesn't matter. Black lives matter.”

Dimples Frison

^{North Chicago, Ill.}

“I am protesting against the history of indirect/direct institutionalized discrimination towards people of color. I am protesting the long history of police brutality and the murder of George Floyd and others before and after him. I am protesting because I’m a single mom with two black sons who I worry about constantly. ✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿🏳️‍🌈”

Tymiq Williams

^{Brooklyn, N.Y.}

“I’m protesting because of all the times people thought it was normal to ignore/stay silent when I personally experienced racism. The 6 train is a terrifying experience for me as a young black man that went to high in the UES. This is the only way to let people know how I feel/felt.”

Macey Meadows

^{Wilmington, N.C.}

“I️ am sick and tired of black Americans being treated like second-class citizens. We are subject to police brutality and have to live in a constant state of fear. I️ fear for my black husband and children, and myself because I️ am, too, black. We demand justice for every black life taken that police just get away with.”

Brooks Williams

^{Houston, Texas}

“Because I am scared that I will be next the hashtag, poster, or cause for the world to rally and protest in my name. I want to breathe.”

Nancy Ihekwoeme

^{Chico, Calif.}

“I may not be protesting on the streets, but I’m doing what I can from where I am. I’m protesting for equality: for the lives that have been lost and for their families; for the lives that will be saved, and most importantly for the people that come after us as MLK had dreamed of.”

Ashley H.

^Philadelphia

“I am protesting for all innocent black lives lost to racism. I am protesting to ensure protection for my husband, my future children and my family. Being a bi-racial woman, I stand for equality, and if one is not equal with the rest, then none are. My freedom is tied to their freedom. #BlackLivesMatter”

Joel Pulliam

“My people have been oppressed for 400 years and we can't go on like this. When I heard about Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd I felt a deep grief and knew I had to do something. It is time to sacrifice and fight so that my future children don't have to live in a world like this. It's hard work but we're in it for the long run.”

Rhonda White

^{Detroit, Mich.}

“I am tired of it all. I want my son to have a good life. I want my daughter to be proud of her race. I want my husband to drive his car in any neighborhood and feel safe. I want my 86 year old father to see racial inequality abolished. Black lives matter and we are loved ❤”

Rhonda Tensley

^{Colorado Springs, Col.}

“The world would lead us to believe that police are not easy to prosecute. Even if the murders are recorded. Why is it so easy to kill or lock away our black men, women, and as of late also our children with less proof. We only want to be able to live without fear, but that's too much to ask because black & brown lives do not matter enough.”

Sahara Powell

^{Pasadena, Calif.}

“I am exhausted from seeing my black brothers and sisters murdered for being black. I am exhausted and sad, but most importantly, I am FURIOUS. I am furious that each day I have to worry about my dad, brothers & sisters, and friends being profiled, pulled over, attacked, and KILLED for simply existing with black skin.”

Mikayla Calkins

^{Princeton, Ky.}

“Growing up in a predominantly Caucasian town, you watch many people become the subject of covert racism, including yourself. You never really know who is a closeted racist anymore. I am protesting because I've watched many people fall victim to the actions of the ignorant every day. It's time people are finally held accountable for their actions.”

Jason Rudder

^{Holland, Mass.}

“George Floyd for me is a synonym for all black men and women. I protest for every time I've been pulled over or stopped because I "fit a description." I protest for every missed opportunity that I know was out of my control. And I protest because I don't know what I will do if nothing changes for my beautiful black boys.”

Orlando Holmes

^{Fort Wayne, IN}

“Me and my little brother, at age 12 and 8 while riding our bicycles in our neighborhood, were stopped by a white officer gun drawn because we fit the the discription of a suspect. Two children held at gunpoint, handcuffed and held for 15 minutes. I now have 5 nieces and 8 nephews. I protest for them, and their future children.”

Mozell Brown

^{Washington, DC}

“I’m protesting because all my life I have witnessed the injustice and inequality among my people. I have three sons who have been racially profiled. I have grandchildren and I don’t want them to be afraid to walk the streets or get stopped by police on some bogus stuff. I protest because for 400 years we have been beaten. It must stop 🛑”

Why are you rallying for George Floyd? We’d like to hear from black men and women about this moment in history. See the latest news on the death of George Floyd and protests in Minneapolis and around the country.