(it's Jahdi and his cashapp is: $JahdiBLM)
Show this thread
-
Demetria leads the crowd in a chant of "Fuck the Police" She reminds us that the police not only kill our community members, but tell us it's our fault. Talks about the wounds these things inflict on the community
Show this thread
She leads a chant of George Floyd's name. Fists in the air "This is why we fight. THIS is why we fight!" She talks about how to heal. Justice. Reparations. Remaking the system into something that serves the people
-
-
The last speaker of the night is George Floyd's cousin He tells us that George Floyd was about two things: family and community "There was never a time when he was called on and didn't step up. Never!"
Show this thread -
He tells us George Floyd turnt it up at all times. Loved to have a good time. That we're gonna honor his memory by doing the same tonight He expresses disappointment that more people aren't out here, but how good it feels to know how much his cousin matters to the people here
Show this thread -
"Black Lives Matter is about community! We take care of our own!" He encourages people to come out to the Red House: a safe place for Black and Indigenous people
Show this thread -
"Big Floyd was about the struggle! He didn't have no options, like all the Black men in America!" He talks about the daily struggle. bout not having the option for fear He talks about alliance: about how aligning oneself with a movement involves listening
Show this thread -
He calls a young child named Nova to the stage. Asks everyone to stand up The audience claps a beat while she sings "the Elmo song." It is about the cutest thing I've ever seen
Show this thread -
-
Fists in the air "Total abolition means TOTAL abolition," Floyd's cousin says "Every system Must. Come. Down"
Show this thread -
He talks about how 14 million kids--three times as many as in the Great Depression--don't get enough to eat How it's gotta change "We just destroy all systems of government. It can be done! It must be done"
Show this thread -
He encourages anyone who wants to give money to him to give it to the Red House project:
@RHonMississippiShow this thread -
He also encourages people to donate to the Black leadership in Portland, so that they can concentrate on helping the community
Show this thread -
One final speaker steps forward: pastor Deshawn Williams He reminds us of America's legacy of slavery. That Black people today are "free-ish" "My brothers and my sisters, we must live in this hour...in our best life, despite those systematic challenges that confront us daily"
Show this thread -
"we must cry out to let the systems of our oppressors know that we will live, and we will not die!" He talks about Jesus' promise of abundant living. "A social justice warrior. Black Jesus! Can I say that?" The crowd affirms that he can
Show this thread -
He talks about the importance of this struggle in time. Part of something that came before, in the name of that which comes after About the importance of maintaining hope About our roles in upholding the hope in each other
Show this thread -
"Go forth and live, because we cannot die in this hour...even if we grow tired, we must continue to move forward" He reminds white people how badly the movement needs them to use their privilege to advance the cause of justice
Show this thread -
He closes with a prayer asking God to watch over the movement, to sustain it and show the right path. For those involved to stand strong. For unity The crowd applauds
Show this thread -
The organizers present George Floyd's cousin with the balloons from the memorial He releases them. As they float into the heavens, the crowd chants George Floyd's namepic.twitter.com/Y2T8846ST9
Show this thread -
The party will continue at the Red House, but this extremely cold reporter is going home to have hot toddies and either video games or reading, depending on how virtuous I feel Rest in Power, George Floyd
Solidarity with everyone still out hereShow this thread -
Epilogue: some editorializing Events like these correctly focus on the beauty and worth of the life lost. By all accounts George Floyd was a wonderful person: a father, a pillar of his community, beloved by friends and family alike We should commemorate these things, always
Show this thread -
Unfortunately, a side effect of this correct form of grief is that it opens the door for the most irrelevant and disgusting argument possible in a situation like this: whether or not George Floyd was a good person It Doesn't Fucking Matter
Show this thread -
It doesn't matter if George Floyd had a drug problem. Addicts don't deserve to be murdered, some of my best friends struggle with addiction It doesn't matter if George Floyd made mistakes in his past. Who the fuck hasn't No one deserves to die like that. NO ONE
Show this thread -
If you come into my fucking mentions talking shit about George Floyd first of all fuck you you're blocked and secondly I sure hope you aren't a Christian because Jesus would not approve If you're a believer: God loves ALL His children. ALL souls are made in His image
Show this thread -
Nothing will bring back lives lost, there can be nothing like real justice. The scars of the past never truly heal All we can do is strive for a future where this is an ugly historical memory instead of a grinding, continuous horror Let's fight as hard as we can to get there
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.