DC Marchers Exercise Right To Protest On Independence Day

WASHINGTON, DC — First Amendment protesters coming to the National Mall Saturday morning encountered a few hurdles. In addition to the blistering heat, many streets were blocked off, and the U.S. Park Police had fenced off the Mall from the Washington Monument to the Potomac River

Several morning protests had been planned, including the George Floyd Memorial March on Washington. Participants were supposed to gather around 9:30 a.m., at the Lincoln Memorial — the location was later switched to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial — but no one could access either spot due to the Park Police's fencing.

These difficulties did not deter 50 to 100 protesters from gathering under the trees across from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and to wait for a march to begin.

Eventually, Mason Frey, 21, of Fairfax County, arrived. He was the chief organizer of the George Floyd Memorial March on Washington, an idea he came up with about a month ago.

"The original plan was to meet a week earlier, but then I was like, 'Hey, July 4th's on a Saturday," he said. "The plan is in about 10-ish minutes, we're going to march down 15th to Freedom Plaza and Lafayette Square and occupy that for a bit. Maybe do some chants."

While the demonstrators waited for the march to begin, they shared their stories on what brought them to the National Mall on the Fourth of July.

"Basically, I've finally woken up and realized that I can't just sit back and wait for things to change and for other people to do it," said Leslie Jarvis of Chevy Chase, Maryland, who was marching with her daughters, Meg and Katie. "I've done some local vigils where we live in Chevy Chase and Kensington, but this is the first time that we've come downtown to try to make sure that people understand that we are with them and we hope that we can continue to help with the struggle."

Jarvis hoped that their presence would raise the visibility and make others realize there were white allies taking part in the protests in support of the movement.

"Like me, I don't really know how to do this properly, but I'm trying," Jarvis said. "Every day I'm learning and hoping that more people will come and join us and it will make a difference."

Alex from New Jersey was visiting friends in D.C., when she heard about the march. She thought coming down and participating was the right thing to do.

"Personally, I'm looking to take some direction from some of my Black brothers and sisters who are the ones suffering right now," she said. "But for the most part, bringing attention to a huge systemic issue, and, hopefully, reallocating funds from the military vehicles patrolling our streets to the school systems."

Tyler travelled all the way from Philadelphia to D.C. take part in Saturday's protest.

"For a long time, I have benefited from a system that has screwed over a lot people," he said. "On this Fourth of July, I want to do what is an American tradition, exercise my right to protest in favor of supporting Black Lives Matter, standing up against police brutality, excessive force, and for police reform."

Kristi of Ellicott City, Maryland, was motivated to protest because of the brutality that's been happening recently. She couldn't believe the country hasn't made more progress when it comes to social justice.

"We have so many warning signs telling us we need to, white people, get over ourselves," she said. "We need to make this a country that's awesome for everybody. ... I'm here to amplify. If it helps another white person to see me out here, fine, because we need to this message to get through and stick."

DaVaughn Montgomery of New York City came to the National Mall Saturday to help keep the dialogue about the Black Lives Matter movement going.

"I think they're bringing light to moments and dialogue and history that people haven't uncovered before," he said. "I think that they're great places for people to kind of start to engage in some more reflective conversation."

Tierra Cook, a young Black woman from D.C., said that she no longer celebrates Independence Day. She came down to march because the Black Lives Matter movement means a great deal to her.

"The social injustice and the systematic racism that has existed in this country for over 400 years is no longer acceptable," Cook said, adding that she's been protesting since day one. "Our voices need to be heard. Everyone here, our voices need to be heard and we need change."

Patch editor Alessia Grunberger helped with the reporting of this story.

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