Despite the peaceful nature of the movement, NYPD eventually began to agitate the crowd into physical confrontation between authority and citizenry. A policeman threw Jameel back onto the sidewalk after he disobeyed orders to remain out of the street, a tactic purposely used by organizers to gain attention from bystanders and encourage them to join the march. / Harlem, NY, 2013
A young Black student began to grow incredibly impatient with the same policeman who threw a protester, not afraid of law enforcement and fed up with being intimidated, stood toe to toe with the authority figure in a stare down that was bound to end in physical altercation. Fellow protesters held him back and allowed him to verbally confront his offender, understanding the complexes created by young Black men in regards to their masculinity and powerlessness against police. / Harlem, NY, 2013
The crowd consisted of a mixed generational audience, ranging from Harlamites, those of out of state, members of political activist organizations, young people, social justice organizers, reporters, photographers, parents, students, Black, White, Asian, Biracial and many other Americans. The message was clear that action had to be taken by all persons for justice to prevail. / Harlem, NY, 2013
The Revolutionary Community Party USA handed out many documents and literature on the history of racial violence and the national campaign against the American justice system that has criminalized a whole generation of people for centuries. Proclaiming the statement, "We are ALL Trayvon Martin" reaffirmed the concept that no one was exempt from injustice, despite the inalienable rights we all have as American citizens. / Harlem, NY, 2013
A father began chanting various phrases articulating his discontent about the police and their disregard for young Black youth in protecting them on a daily basis, claiming their presence during the rally was an emblem of corruption, hate and fear. Others joined in with his bold chants - both young and older generations - uniting their voices in their 'holler for justice.' / Harlem, NY, 2013
Walking through the historic neighborhoods of Harlem, I witnessed older residents join in solidarity - either passively or actively - showcasing support by raising fists, shouting along to chants created by youth and adult protesters, and even encouraging younger bystanders to join in the march. / Harlem, NY, 2013
A wave of protesters flood the entrance of Michael's department store / St. Louis, MO, 2014
Tribe-X, an all-Black male activist collective, holds a mock trial outside the Old Court House indicting the Ferguson Police Department for their malpractice / St. Louis, MO, 2014
Local activists march with a crowd, sharing an intimate moment of grief for the loss of Mike Brown / St. Louis, MO, 2014
Woman marches in a rally protesting the murder of Mike Brown and inaction of the Ferguson Police Department in indicting Darren Wilson for his misconduct. / St. Louis, MO, 2014
A reporter positions herself in close proximity to document a chief of police threaten protesters to disperse "or else". / St. Louis, MO, 2014
A reporter photographs a Black man yelling out of his window, changing the context of the moment by positioning himself at a skewed angle and portraying the scene as "chaotic", an oversaturated element in mainstream media coverage in response to the emergence of contemporary social movements against police brutality. / Ferguson, MO, 2014
Local activists carry a "coffin" with Kalief Browder's face on the front in protest of Rikers Island's policies of jailing minors in adult prisons. / Queens, NY, 2015
An independent analogue filmmaker documents the scene of protesters rallying against Rikers Island police. / Queens, NY, 2015
A Rikers Island corrections officer brings out a K9 dog to "control" the crowd of protesters. / Queens, NY, 2015
The raw emotions of protesters challenged the mechanic demeanors of police officers. / Queens, NY, 2015
The rally for Kalief Browder was an inclusive crowd of voices from all parts of the activist community in the region, especially Queer and Trans youth of color. / Queens, NY, 2016
White protesters rally in solidarity for Kalief Browder. / Queens, NY, 2016
A mother and her daughter witness the organized actions of protesters at Rikers Island. / Queens, NY, 2016
Young boy holds protest signs at a rally to honor the life of Eric Garner 2 years after his death / Staten Island, NY, 2016
The Legacy organizes an action for Eric Garner in Staten Island this afternoon. No mainstream media were present. / Staten Island, NY, 2016
Nicholas Heyward Sr. speaks about losing his son to police brutality outside of the store where Eric Garner was murdered / Staten Island, NY, 2016
Legacy Garner, Eric Garner's youngest child, stares off as community activists gather for an afternoon of direct action / Staten Island, NY, 2016
A young Black boy holds a rose to honor the lives taken by police brutality and violence from the year / Staten Island, NY, 2016
A pair of Black youth pose outside of rally / Staten Island, NY, 2016
A protester holds a sign that calls to drop all charges against Ramsey Orta, the young man responsible for documenting the murder of Eric Garner and was imprisoned for "interfering with an investigation" / Staten Island, NY, 2016
Before Gordon Parks passed away in 2009, he asked himself, "What will happen to Black boys? If they don't have it better than I did roaming the streets, what will happen to our children?" This is my response to his inquiry - continue to fight for justice. / Staten Island, NY, 2016
A protester holds a sign with the infamous phrase, "We Can't Breathe," a variation of the last words before Eric Garner was murdered. / Staten Island, NY, 2016