Hundreds of anti–police brutality protesters demonstrated in Long Beach Sunday afternoon as part of an event honoring the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
The event highlighted the killings of Black trans people. There were speakers, performances and music at Bixby Park before protesters marched over a mile west to Harvey Milk Equality Plaza.
There’s a memorial where folks can pick up crowns made out of plants in honor of Black trans lives. pic.twitter.com/1fr5w9SpVf
— Stephanie Rivera (@StephRivera88) June 28, 2020
Despite a looming pandemic that has seen surging infection rates recently as businesses slowly reopen, protesters risked being exposed to the coronavirus in order to bring attention to another crisis, the killing of Black people by police.
Organizers described the current movement as its own uprising, which is now entering its fifth week locally with several dozen protests having already taken place throughout the city since May 31.
“We have to keep this momentum going,” said local Native American activist Tahesha Knapp Christensen, who spoke during the event. “It’s going to take all of us.”
