WATCH: Black Lives Matter Demonstration Takes Over Broad Street
Photo | Maria McGeary
The Philly REAL Justice Coalition drew over 300 people into the street for a march to Center City on Tuesday afternoon. Police were stationed in groups on street corners and several were mounted on bikes, awaiting the crowd. Protestors gathered at Diamond Street at 2 p.m. and marched through Temple University’s campus, then down the center of Broad Street to City Hall.
The march was advertised on social media along with a video featuring organizers Erica Mines, Cornelius Moody, and Deandra Jefferson. Mines, Moody, and several others rode on two U-Haul trucks down the center of the street, leading the chants with microphones.
“No justice, no peace. Take it to the streets and fuck the police,” chanted the crowd, many of whom held signs. Chants ranged in subject matter, from anti-police: “No good cops in a racist system” to anti-Hillary: “Don’t vote for Hillary, she’s killing black people.”
Police watch as the crowd chants, “Who do you protect, who do you serve?”
Photo | Maria McGeary
Maria Hernandez marches with her 5-year-old daughter. “She knows. She knows what we’re doing.”
Photo | Maria McGeary
Police led the protest and followed on bikes and on foot. The officers were unable to speak with media.
Photo | Maria McGeary
Jamhar James (left) and other another marcher carry a styrofoam coffin designed and created by artists for the march.
