Black Lives Matter Protests in Green Bay

By Zola Kambandu Schilz

Black Lives Matter– known as BLM. Three words that, in this moment, hold unmeasurable power. The movement, which began in July of 2013, takes the country by storm again in June of 2020. From the riots, the death of black figures like Breona Taylor and George Floyd to the military involvement in many states. The fight for peace and equality is yet to see an end. Black Lives Matter is focused on police accountability and reform, which means that those who support BLM wish to see police held accountable for racially charged actions against minority populations and a reform within the inherently-racist and corrupt justice system. The goal of BLM is to bring healing, peace, and freedom to Black people across the globe. 

Green Bay, Wisconsin, joined the fight for peace with an organized peaceful protest in early June 2020 where hundreds of protesters marched from Leicht Park to the Green Bay police department. “We must not let the media contribute to the hate being directed at those who are oppressed. All our energy must be on the root of the problem,” a group called “Black Lives United,” said. This group refers to the American justice system, which is historically built on the idea that Black people are lesser than that of an average white American, and thereby are treated as such. The movement and its protests are geared toward fighting against these ideas and the negative history surrounding Black people in America.  

“We must not let the media contribute to the hate being directed at those who are oppressed. All our energy must be on the root of the problem,”

Black Lives United

The summer 2020 protests that lasted  into the autumn months, were described by The Washington Post as “overwhelmingly peaceful.” Contrary to Donald J. Trump’s claims at an Atlanta rally that the movement was part of a “mob rule”, the goal of Black Lives Matter  is to peacefully reform the policing system. Organizers of protests and founders of the movement had no intention of using force, violence, or weaponry, to demand their change instead they chose to kneel – lately a kneel that has been signifying the 8 minutes and 46 seconds police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on 46 year old George Floyd’s neck, cutting off his oxygen supply, putting him in critical condition until he died later under hospital care – their fists thrust in the air as they came together to fight for what they believe in. 

As the movement continues, widespread protests are still going strong  today – the numbers of supporters seem to be dwindling. What started as a social media sweep has begun looking like more of a trend. As the country’s focus slowly begins to turn to the 2020 election, however, protesters are still going strong proving that the matter was not and should not be classified as a social media trend. Black Lives Matter is a powerful movement that has taken not only the country, but the globe, by storm.