Occupy FoHi is a community organization created for the community, by the community. Set to raise awareness and lift the voices of those who reside in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Protesting against the racial injustices in the United States, and the ongoing battle against police brutality, Occupy FoHi hopes to help bring about positive change in our communities, and push for racial equality.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was originally founded on July 13th, 2013. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter emerged from the fatal and tragic shooting of the young Trayvon Martin, by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. Unfortunately, and frustratingly, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in Florida v. George Zimmerman. The Black Lives Matter movement was co-founded by three black community organizers: Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi.
Since that tragedy, racial injustices against the black community continued, sparking outrage from recent events such as the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. An officer had pressed his knee on Mr. Floyd’s, 46, neck for approx. 9 mins. He was already handcuffed for allegedly using a counterfeit 20 dollar bill. He laid on the street, shouting to the officer “I can’t breathe!” and calling out to his deceased mother before he too passed away. Officer Derek Chauvin had continued to use excessive force even after Mr. Floyd was unconscious.
Breonna Taylor was a 26 year old emergency room technician, who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). She was shot 8 times by the police who entered her home late at night over the assumption of drugs being sold from that house. They entered with a no-knock warrant, without warning, without identifying themselves. She was innocent and her murderers remain at large, no consequences to those officers who murdered an innocent young woman. Her tragedy deserves justice, as for all the people of color who have lost their lives over the years to police brutality.
Some people I have gotten to know, and have known for some time now, have put a lot of hard work into organizing these protests. I was able to join a couple of these protests and decided to photographically document these important moments of our history. Our world, especially in the United States, are currently facing two very different but very deadly pandemics: The Coronavirus Pandemic (also known as COVID-19), and the Racism Pandemic, which has been in this country for far too many years, decades…centuries.
But that does not, and will not stop people from being able to use their voices to shine light on what desperately needs attention in our country. The young will lead, and other’s will follow. The chants “No Justice No Peace,” “Black Lives Matter,” “Say His Name,” and “Say Her Name,” filled the streets, capturing the attention of onlookers, some who had joined in on marching with us.
Photography done by me.
Tools used: NikonD5600 and Adobe Photoshop CC