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Black Lives Matter San Diego Rally: Photo-Essay

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Black Lives Matter Rally San Diego

BLM Rally July 10, 2016
Photo credit: Bree Davis

By Bree Davis

I’m Bree and I had the privilege and honor to attend and support the Black Lives Matter: San Diego rally in downtown San Diego outside of the Convention Center on July 10. It was strategically timed so we would be meeting and marching as the All Star Convention was opening it’s doors. Black Lives Matter: San Diego is not yet an official chapter, however they are working hard on becoming one, so hopefully soon this will happen.

Around 100 people came to support and show solidarity.  Spoken word regarding why we were there kicked off the rally. The Convention Center was hopping with all sorts of people there for the All Star convention, and as soon as the spoken word started, some of the crowd stopped in their tracks to listen in. After the spoken word, we started to walk downtown. You could feel the energy and emotions flowing through the group. We started chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice, No Peace, No Racist Police” along with a couple other chants.

Black Lives Matter Rally San Diego

BLM Rally July 10, 2016
Photo credit: Bree Davis

As we were marching downtown, people were stopping and watching us, some would honk or raise their fist in solidarity and even a couple people joined in on the march. We ended up on the other side of Petco Park. Part of this peaceful march was to gather together and to show that law enforcement and BLM are not against each other. Just because you are pro BLM, does not mean you are anti police. BLM is against violent, racist law enforcement.

Black Lives Matter Rally San Diego

BLM Rally July 10, 2016
Photo credit: Bree Davis

The police officers were talking with our group beforehand, and escorted us through the walk. They even stopped and talked to the kids, giving them stickers, my 4 year old daughter included. Overall, this experience was very rewarding, and I think it is one of many steps  in trying to create change that the BLM is so desperately wanting for their families and loved ones.

Bree Davis is an activist, feminist and photographer.

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Comments

  1. Bree,
    Thank you for this piece. zi believe that we, as one people, one race, need so much more writing like this. I’ve had the misfortune of recently discovering that many people I would call “friends,” don’t support BLM, and in fact vehemently disgrace the movement, and themselves, by using racist insinuation and the language bigotry in online settings.
    This discovery is horrifying, in large part because I know it I must address it and the ignorance that has led to it. It’s one thing to proclaim that I’m against police brutality and misconduct, but another completely to speak with people on an individual basis about their ignorant online statements, that frankly, amount to hate speech.
    I believe it’s something that must be done however, and stories like yours will help those of us who, thusfar, may have agreed with the movement but sat on the sidelines while everyone else grew polarized one way or the other.

    Once again, thank you.

  2. How can one find out about these support rallies? I have been searching the Internet and have really wanted to get involved.

    • kayla, follow BLM San Diego on FB. Most events I’ve been finding have been via FB

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