Saturday, June 6, 2020

Thousands rally in D.C. for George Floyd, Black Lives Matter

At the corner of I Street and 16th Ave. NW., Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
You could register to vote at this tent set up at I and 16th to cast your ballot in November, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
At the corner of I and 16th streets, this building owner joined the message.Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Recyclers will have this all picked up by tomorrow morning. This was at the new Black Lives Matter Plaza but there were too many people to see the new mural Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned for the street. Thank you, Mayor! Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
In front of St. John's Episcopal Church at Black Lives Matter Plaza, the Revs. Joshua Daniel from St. Columba's Episcopal Church, left, and Patrick Keyser from the Washington National Cathedral dispensed water.  They said they didn't know who brought the water which constantly re-appeared. They thought (were hoping? It was hot!) they were on shift patrol. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
From the portico at St. John's Episcopal Church, looking out on Black Lives Matter Plaza and the Hay-Adams Hotel. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
From St. John's portico. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
St. John's portico offered shade, a place to sit, and excellent viewing. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
This is the place at St. John's where President Trump stood on June 1, 2020, waving the Bible, and (no doubt)  to become the site of an historical marker. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
This stairwell at St. John's leads to the nursery where an arsonist set fire May 31, 2020. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A della Robbia at St. John's Episcopal Church.  Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
At St. John's Episcopal Church. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The St. John's building housing parish offices and classrooms on H Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Next door to St. John's on H Street is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
June 6, 2020, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The fence borders Lafayette Square Park, the "people's park," which Google estimates is 1.7 miles long, and surrounds the White House and its grounds. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On H Street, protesters knelt and shouted "I can't breathe," the last words of George Floyd .The yellow building is St. John's Episcopal Church and next to it, the Veterans Administration building. To the right (unseen here) is Lafayette Square. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A new plaza is born at the corner of H St., NW at St. John's Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On the fence, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On H Street in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building across from Lafayette Square.
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A helicopter flies back and forth above Lafayette Square.  The absence of the police matched the absence of violence which must be the subject of a dissertation somewhere. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
What? Who? Had the New York Times Square cowboy come to D.C.? Here, "a figure" makes "adjustments" at the corner of Lafayette Square at Decatur House, Connecticut and H streets. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie.
Do these boarded-up windows at the Renwick Gallery mean they were broken?  I hope not! At the corner of 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
American University students gave out water and snacks on 17th. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Former Washington Nationals star Jayson Werth came, too! Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
I believe this throng on 17th came from the Lincoln Memorial. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
17th Street, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On 17th, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Her sign says: "When justice becomes law, resistance become duty." Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On 17th with the Washington Monument in the background.  Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On 17th. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Resting on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
What would Abe say? Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
At  Mamadouba's food truck at the corner of 23rd and Constitution, a single mango slushie ranged in price from $7.70 to $23.90 (if you didn't pay attention). Does D.C. have an Office of Consumer Affairs? Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Protestors kept their signs and this one at the Lafayette Square fence was the only unclaimed one I could find. Washington, D.C., June 6, 2020/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Casual observation revealed more whites than blacks showed up at the rallies which popped up all over downtown Washington June 6 on a day when the temperature climbed into the 90s.  

Washington's beautiful shade trees offered protection from the sun, while volunteers of various organizations stood behind loaded tables of free fruit, snacks and coolers of iced bottles of water to offer them to protesters. 

Dogs on leashes likely outnumbered the small number of children who came with their families.

It did seem like there was "a party going on" outside the fence at Lafayette Square when thousands joined their brothers and sisters to march for racial affirmation and to honor the memories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others.  

Music occasionally wafted over the streets where the protesters shared a spirit of unity and a common goal. A grassroots day of memorials, sponsored by the people who long for new leadership, direction, and recognition.

patricialesli@gmail.com 

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