Washington: Thousands of people marched Saturday down the streets of Washington to protest against racist violence by police, following several cases of white cops killing unarmed black males in the US.
Shouting "justice for all", the demonstrators gathered to the protest march in Freedom Plaza near the White House called by the National Action Network, an association founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist and politician.
In a festive atmosphere, young and old, black and white marched to the Capitol bearing banners with phrases "Black lives matter" and "Hands up, don't shoot."
Participants in the protest recalled the case of Eric Garner, who was strangled in July in New York by white policeman Daniel Pantaleo, whom a grand jury decided not to indict.
Another grand jury decided last month not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson for the death of the black youth Michael Brown, 18, who had stolen some cigarillos from a supermarket in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, in circumstances still not clearly explained to the public.
Protesters also recalled the case of little Tamir E. Rice, 12, who was gunned down last November in Cleveland, Ohio, by a cop who mistook the kid's toy pistol for a real gun.
Family members of these three victims came to the march Saturday in Washington and expressed their condemnation of police violence.
"This is a historic moment," said Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, who was wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase "I can't breathe", as her son said before he died.
Protests like the one in Washington were repeated Saturday in other cities of the country, including New York, Boston and San Francisco.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Earlier, opening the debate from the opposition benches in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government was trying to polarise the country and demanded a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the matter. .... More
Also Read: Fadnavis defends Shelar, favours probe against Jamiat-e-Ulema
When Returning Officer Sonakshi Pokshe asked the coprorators to raise hands in favour of Haji Ibrahim of NCP, Abdul Malik was seen counting. After he was convinced that the number is with Haji Ibrahim, in a dramatic turnaround, he staged a walk-out from the house, saying he cannot vote for the NCP candidate who is backed by the Shiv Sena. .... More
Also Read: Son of a 'Revert Muslim' becomes Mayor of Malegaon with Sena support
One wonders, central government is so busy in bringing back the 'black money' assumingly stacked in Swiss banks. Can't it see the huge unaccounted sum changing hands right under its nose?
The Malegon Municipal Corporation (MMC) on Wednesday will elect a new mayor for the next two and half years. The election is likely to see a .... More
Also Read: MIM leader expelled for hobnobbing with Sena, NCP in Malegaon mayor polls
The Hindu nationalist have constantly dinned into our consciousness that Muslims are separatists, terrorists and communal. There is a suspicion that any political party led and dominated by Muslims would ultimately lead to a second partition of the country.... More
Even as a growing number of mosques across the globe are going "female-friendly" by offering more space to women and seeking their involvement in worship places, in India and the subcontinent women inside mosques are still considered something .... More
Also Read: Muslim Personal Law Board and Indian Muslim women
Born in February 1929 at Ambet village in then Kulaba district (now Raigad), Antulay plunged into student politics in 1945 before going to London from where he earned the coveted degree of Barrister-at-Law....... More
Also Read: Former Union Minister, veteran Cong leader Abdur Rehman Antulay dies