The killing of George Floyd during his arrest on May 25, 2020 lead to protests throughout the country. I went to the demonstration in Buffalo and got these pictures. The pictures are presented chronologically between about 5:30 PM until 10:30 PM on May 30, 2020.
A group of protestors walks down Elmwood Avenue towards City Hall.A group of protestors walks down Elmwood Avenue towards City Hall.As demonstrators march into Niagara Square, local law enforcement watches from the platform outside of the federal courthouse.Demonstrators gather in front of City Hall.“Cariol” refers to Cariol Horne, a former Buffalo police office who intervened when she thought he partner was using excessive force on a handcuffed man. She later lost her job with the police force.Group of protestors by the obelisk at the center of Niagara Square.The Black Hebrew Israelites staged something of a counter-protest. They said that blacks kill each other more than the police do, and that everyone there at the demonstration was protesting the wrong thing.The Black Hebrew Israelites staged something of a counter-protest. They said that blacks kill each other more than the police do, and that everyone there at the demonstration was protesting the wrong thing.2 demonstrators in the center of the Niagara Square roundabout.Revolutionary woman.I guess nobody was thirsty, because they were staying far away from the 40 ounce glass beer bottle that was sitting in the street.As soon as the cops left it unguarded, the crowd rushed the doors of the courthouse.Looking down into Niagara Square from the steps of the courthouse.After the group of police guarding the building went inside, the crowd rushed the doors of the courthouse.“Hands up; don’t shoot!” was a popular rallying cry.A woman leads a chant on the steps of the courthouse.The guy in the purple positioned himself right in front of the police and faced the crowd to pray. He repeated over and over, “Peace and love.”Good advice, except you never know who is with the FBI!All day long, police helicopters circled overhead to keep an eye on the crowd.Demonstrators climbed on top of the unoccupied Spectrum News van.The most jovial dudes I met. They wore their best sneakers and brought the best blunts to enjoy during the protest.A group of protesters gathered on the steps of the US Courthouse.Earlier, this car drove into the crowd, so they removed the driver, smashed the car, and plastered it with protest signs. A demonstrator heckles a line of police.Milk is used to sooth irritation caused by exposure to tear gas.Baking soda and water are used to sooth irritation caused by tear gas.2 demonstrators with signs listing the names of people who have been killed by police.Brisk business at the liquor store when the march passed by it!A guy riding outside of a car and drinking as he rolled with the march down Niagara Street.A group of protestors block the road to hinder the police car’s passage and heckle the policeman. The car was stuck there for almost 10 minutes. When they finally moved, the cop got on the PA and said, “I think you made your point. Thanks for letting me pass.” He should have just kept quiet because that incited them to block the car again, holding him up for another few minutes.A demonstrator takes a break from marching to torch a can of hairspray on Niagara Street.A Buffalo police office supervises a dumpster fire behind the 7-11 on Connecticut Street. A group of people pause to watch a dumpster fire. While their dumpster burned, the people inside 7-11 continued to do business and serve customers as if nothing was out of the ordinary.A woman dances in the warmth of a burning dumpster behind a 7-11 convenience store.At 10pm, demonstraters and police give each other space. Many demonstrators were angry about the large number of people who have died while in custody at the Erie County Holding Center.
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You should have been a Journalist.
Awesome work. I was there that day.