Black Lives Matter Protesters Meet For Daily Walks In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — For over a week, a group has been meeting outside Misha's Coffee in Alexandria for daily walks to demand racial justice. On Friday, the group was small, but their message was heard by Old Town residents and drivers.

A Facebook page named Walk for Change is organizing the daily walks in support of the Black Lives Matter cause. Upcoming dates are June 22 at 6 p.m., June 23 at 8:15 a.m., June 24 at 6 p.m. and June 25 at 8:15 a.m. All walks start at Misha's Coffee.

Friday held special significance for the Juneteenth holiday, the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, which the governor proposed as a state holiday, was when news reached Texas that slaves were free. The June 19, 1865 milestone happened over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Participants in Friday's Walk for Change held signs and chanted as they walked on King Street, Washington Street, Henry Street and other local roads. The route took them past notable landmarks, including the place where the Confederate Appomattox statue was removed in early June at Prince and Washington Streets. They went past the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, which held its own rally in DC and displays a Black Lives Matter banner.

"I think [this is] saying Alexandria cares about black lives, something it's historically known not to care about," said Alex Wolosky of Mount Vernon.

Angie Sanchez, who lives south of the city in Huntington, has observed well-organized protests in DC with people wearing masks, and items like hand sanitizer and snack packs on hand. She says the Alexandria walks intend to share the same demand heard at large protests: defund the police.

"I think it's important we carry that message outside of DC," she told Patch.

Participants received honks of support and comments from passerby, both positive and negative. One of the responses directed at protesters was "all lives matter."

Taylor Cheski of Alexandria believes there is a misunderstanding about saying black lives matter versus all lives matter. For her, it acknowledges the inequities and injustices black people face in criminal justice and more.

"Yes, all lives do matter, but black lives are being discriminated against," she said.

The walks are among numerous Alexandria protests held in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in police custody on May 25. There have been marches in Old Town, a protest outside Alexandria police headquarters and a vigil outside Charles Houston Recreation Center. The Walks for Change are scheduled through at least June 25, a month after Floyd's death.