On Saturday, hundreds amassed in Shoreview, Minnesota to protest the murder of George Floyd, police brutality and systemic racial injustice in America.
By Will Jacott and Jake Van Loh
The protest was organized by Awaken the Suburbs; a group of students and recent graduates from Irondale and Mounds view high schools. Protestors congregated in the parking lot of Shoreview City Hall at 3 p.m. and listened to instruction from the organizers. At 3:30 p.m. the 1.2 mile march toward Arden Hills City Hall began as protestors made their way down the blocked off Highway 96, taking up the entire westbound side of the road. The march concluded at Arden Hills city hall where protestors listened to speeches, poetry and music led by black students.
According to the Awaken the Suburbs Instagram page the purpose for the march was “We, the youth of the northern Twin Cities, condemn the murders of George Floyd, Tony Mcdade, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Jamar Clark and many others caused by the systemic failure of policing. On June 13th, we peacefully march in solidarity with our Minneapolis community, but also as a call to action to our communities. We must stand up to systemic racial injustice and make our communities as just, equitable, and inclusive as possible.”
A mother kneels with her child holding a sign saying “We must do better” outside Shoreview City Hall prior to the march.
A protester carries a sign and walks over the names of victims of police brutality written in chalk outside Shoreview City Hall. Photo by Will Jacott.
Student leaders give instruction to the crowd of protesters gathered outside Shoreview City Hall prior to the march down Highway 96. Photo by Will Jacott.
Students lead the march toward Arden Hills City Hall carrying a banner reading “Black Lives Matter.” Photo by Will Jacott.
Protesters begin to march toward Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protestors make their way down Victoria Street toward Highway 96. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protestors hold a sign saying “Black Lives Matter” on Highway 96. Photo by Will Jacott.
A man on a motorized scooter rides down Highway 96 in the march. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protesters march down Highway 96. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Cones block off the road as protesters march down Highway 96.
Protestors march down Highway 96 in Shoreview. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protesters make their way to the gathering at the Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protesters listen as students speak on the topic of systemic racial injustice at the Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Will Jacott.
Protestors gathered outside Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Student leads call and response chant for protesters outside Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
“Rascism is a public health crisis in Minnesota,” Bri Sislo-Schutta said during her speech outside Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Student leader shares her experience as a Black student in Irondale High School. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A young boy holds up a sign outside of Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A student leader shares frustration over systemic racial injustice in Minnesota. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Student Philipose Gilbert shares a poem he wrote about his perspective living in Arden Hills as a black man. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Bobby Goldman, a candidate for Arden Hills City Council, talks about what Arden Hills can do in the fight against systemic racial injustice. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A student leader shares her experience as a black muslim woman in the Minnesota suburban school system. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A student leader shares her experience as a black muslim woman in the Minnesota suburban school system. Photo by Will Jacott.
A student leader asks protesters to raise their hands to represent their place in the community. Photo by Will Jacott.
A student leader points to his skin, and says “We aren’t born to hate. Somebody taught us that.” Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A student leader explains the Zulu word Ubuntu as “I am because you are, you are because I am,” he said. “Your liberty is tied up in my liberty.” Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Students speak to the crowd of protestors in front of Arden Hills City Hall during an open mic. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
Students speak to the crowd of protestors in front of Arden Hills City Hall during an open mic. Photo by Jake Van Loh.
A student sings during the open mic portion of the protest outside of Arden Hills City Hall. Photo by Will Jacott.
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