People took a knee all over the United States today to say silence was no longer acceptable and that Black Lives Matter.
At the end of the rally at Hoover Memorial United Methodist, the group walked past the nearby 12th Street police station chanting “thank you for your service.” White people added, “Please protect them.” Black and Latino people added, “Please protect us.”
They knelt, too, in Fort Smith, with police joining in.
#FortSmith police kneeled with protesters today during 8 minutes of silence on the corner of Zero Street and Jenny Lind. Great shot, from 40/29 Photog, Prentis Grayson.#ARnews #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/vksICmGihY
— Darby Bybee (@4029Darby) June 6, 2020
Speaking of Little Rock police, I introduced you to a black officer, Kendall Harper, earlier today. He had things to say about Black Lives Matter. Meet a white officer, who also has things to say.
Crowds are huge in cities across America today, including Washington, D.C., where the mayor has Donald Trump’s number.
First with the Black Lives Matter display on the street leading to his door.
The Mayor of Washington, D.C. looking down 16th Street at the “Black Lives Matter” mural painted on the street leading to the White House….
A moment in History!! pic.twitter.com/xshuxwguxD
— Jim Rucker (@chicojimj) June 5, 2020
Then renaming the street.
📸 Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser officially named 16th Street in front of the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” along with a new street sign installed, Bowser tweeted. https://t.co/ymSrYKWX4B pic.twitter.com/vlyi1Q9EHC
— ABC News (@ABC) June 5, 2020
Kneeling was particularly in vogue. Colin Kaepernick was right. I hope we never again have to endure a demagogue Arkansas politician denouncing a college athlete who takes a knee in solidarity against injustice. Shame on all those who did.
Now even comes NFL’s Roger Goodell to say “we were wrong” for not listening to NFL players. It’s already being scorned as woefully inadequate, a business-saving bunch of words. He didn’t apologize to Colin Kaepernick. He didn’t even mention him by name.
#RogerGoodell These players have names, say their names with your Apology pic.twitter.com/DcMrPyGgec
— Malcolm Fox (@Justice4Zo) June 5, 2020
Goodell is not alone in issuing hollow words. They are popping up all over, including in Little Rock. One local nstitution that issued some solemn words on unity this week was a group instrumental in the takeover of the Little Rock School District because it wanted to oust the black majority board. It has worked historically against equal pay and treatment of rank-and-file workers. It works to elect politicians who protect the status quo.
The status may be changing.
May many more be made to speak their names, whether Kaepernick, Floyd or so many others. Maybe it’s time, for example, for that editorial tribute the local daily news’paper’ somehow forgot to write on the death of John Walker, another drum major for justice.