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These Photos Of The March For Black Women Are A Powerful Call For Justice & Equality
On Saturday, thousands gathered at Seward Square in Washington, D.C. for the March for Black Women, a civil rights demonstration intended to raise awareness about racial inequality and discrimination. The event is a message of resistance against the institutionalized racism that black women face each day, and photos of the March for Black Women are incredibly powerful.
The march intersected with the March for Racial Justice, and according to a statement posted by the event's organizers on the March for Black Women's official Facebook page.
Our March within a March is not only a mass mobilization centered on Black women, but a reminder to every single one of us that so long as Black women are killed by the cops; so long as Black women are taken or go missing; so long as we are raped by state officials, by friends, by strangers or by nationally renown members of our communities -- there can be NO JUSTICE.
The march was intentionally scheduled for Sept. 30 to commemorate the anniversary of the Elaine Massacre in Elaine, Arkansas in 1919, a racial confrontation in which over 100 black Americans were killed by white plantation owners. According to organizers, the march is an attempt to "honor the resistance" of the lives lost that day, and serve as a reminder that "their courage reverberates through the generations and inspires our struggle today."
Here are some of the march's most powerful photos.
This Is What Racial Justice Looks Like
Like many of the marches this year supporting people of color and women, many of those at the March For Black Women and March For Racial Justice brought children along to witness the power of protest in a time when it's so crucial.
The ACLU Made An Appearance
The American Civil Liberties Union, which fights to protect individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution, marched in one of the sister protests in Florida.
#EveryBlackWoman
Some users captioned photos of the march with the hashtag #EveryBlackWoman.
Marching For Racial Justice
Participants for both the March for Black Women and the March for Racial Justice combined around noon at Lincoln Park, marching together to the Justice Department and then to the National Mall for a rally.
"Where Was All Lives Matter?"
One marcher pointed out, "Where was all lives matter from 1619-1968." 1619 marked the beginning of the slave trade in the U.S., starting in Jamestown, Virginia while 1968 marked the end of the Civil Rights Movement.
Bringing Cries For Racial Justice Right To The Capitol
While the March For Racial Justice and the March for Black Women started at different locations, the protests converged as people began marching toward the White House.
Black Girl Magic
People chanted, "Black girl magic" as they marched. The phrase was coined by CaShawn Thompson to celebrate the power, resilience, and positive attributes of black women.
“I say ‘magic’ because it’s something that people don’t always understand,” Thompson told The Los Angeles Times. “Sometimes our accomplishments might seem to come out of thin air, because a lot of times, the only people supporting us are other black women.
Marching With Mom
Twitter user Charles McCullough, who is also running for Arlington county board in Virginia, posted a snapshot of himself walking alongside his mom. "I can and you will," read the sign that he was holding.
"Women Are Powerful And Dangerous"
A non-profit, People For the American Way, tweeted out a photo of marchers wielding signs that read, "Women are powerful and dangerous" and "Support our sisters and stop the war on women."
Thousands Come Together
Over 4,000 people had already expressed interest in attending the March For Black Women on Facebook.
"A Woman's Place Is In The Struggle"
Cassius Magazine tweeted out a photo of the March for Black Women, telling readers how they can get involved. In the photo, marchers were holding signs that read, "A woman's place is in the struggle. My body, my rules."
Organizations Come Together
Members from Lady Parts Justice League, a reproductive rights organization, participated in the march.
Feminism Is Intersectional
Indira Henard, executive director of DC Rape Crisis, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting sexual violence, was also spotted at the March for Black Women.
A March Within A March
The March For Black Women was organized as a protest at the center of the March For Racial Justice on Saturday. Hours after they started, both marches converged.
As America continues its struggle for racial equality — made more challenging by President Trump's divisive comments — the March For Black Women on Saturday was a prime example of the thunderous voice of the collective. Let's hope those in positions of power heed the call for equality and justice.
Summer Lin contributed to this report.
