Harlem’s Rally For George Floyd: The Protest That Brought The Community Together

Saturday, May, 30th 2020 marked Harlem, New York’s rally for the modern day lynching of George Floyd. Although George’s death took place in Minneapolis Minnesota the impact traveled across the nation.

Black people all over America are fed up, it’s so many cases of Black Americans being killed by the hands of racist police that it’s actually disgusting and hard to keep count. Harlem’s Rally just wasn’t for George but for all our black brothers and sisters killed by those who our tax dollars are paying to serve and protect us.

Depending on where you get your news from you’ll see images and videos of blacks in total carnage. Destroying and looting cities. While there is a divide between my people on whether we should be chaotic or be peaceful one thing for we can all agree on is that we’re tired.

Harlem’s rally which was organized by black leaders in the community (who asked not to be mentioned) was the epitome of peaceful. The huge crowds gathered in front of Harlem’s State Building on the corner of 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (referred to as 7th avenue by Harlemites). The same corners Malcolm X used to speak to crowds.

The Rally which lasted 3 hours before moving down to Times Square was a step in the right direction for citizens of the community. The unity displayed today would have our ancestors grinning from ear to ear.

Today’s rally featured several members of the community voicing their frustrations on the treatment of Black Americans. One of those speakers was Harlem native Kendra.

Kendra, like many black and brown people, have dealt with corrupt police. The police once accused her of stealing her own car. As ludicrous as that may sound, these things really happen to black people.

I asked Karen about how she felt about all that was going on in the world and how important Harlem’s Rally was and she had this to say:

“I think that us being here today with black people, people of color and having white people supporting us shows we’re on the front line and we’re not scared to show our faces. We’re not sacred to speak up about the injustices George faced, that everyone faces. Sandra Bland, Sean Bell this literally dates back to decades and it’s getting worst. We need to be out here. Enough is enough.”

Karen is just an example of the frustration that black people across America have had building up for years but instead of unleashing that anger by destroying her community she decided to have her presence and powerful words speak for her.

Karen wasn’t the only Harlem native who was willing to give a statement about the Harlem riot we caught up with AD a member of Harlem’s Five- Percent Nation sometimes referred to as the Nation of Gods and Earth was happy to see his people peacefully protesting but stressed the need for organization.

“We can come together for one common cause but we have to be organized. Once you’re organized there’s no confusion. And we have together early and not at the last minute”

Organization is the key to any great venture and Harlem’s rally may have been the most organized protest yet. Residents both young and old risked their freedom and health (we’re still in the middle of a pandemic) to show solidarity and strength.

Growing up in Harlem myself I know that it can be hard for my people to come together but Saturday’s rally marked a change and proved what I already knew. That Black people can and will come together to fight for a common cause. After all, we’re all we got.

Lastly, I would like to say R.I.P to all the lives lost by the hands of the police we will not let this country forget your names.