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PHOTO: Thousands of peaceful protesters gather in B.C. to speak out against racism

An estimated 3,500 people took part in the protest
Lindsay William-Ross
Lindsay William-Ross
vancouver-protest-anti-racism
Peaceful protesters gathered Sunday, May 31 outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Photo: @cannabis.chronicle/Instagram

Protesters gathered Sunday evening in downtown Vancouver to speak up about racial injustice and the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

Additionally, Canadians have been protesting the recent death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a black Toronto woman whose mother says the 29-year-old woman was fatally pushed off a balcony by authorities.

An estimated 3,500 people took part in the protest, held outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Vancouver's gathering was peaceful, with many attendees wearing face masks and at times attempting some degree of physical distancing. Reports indicate some masks were being made available to attendees who did not have one. 

The Vancouver chapter of Black Lives Matter said they did not organize the event, however they "stand in solidarity, with deep gratitude." They identified Jacob Callender-Prasad as the organizer, who called for the protest on social media, saying: 

"We need a call to arms it’s time we stand up and unite and support our brothers and sister in the states we can’t sit by and watch more of our people continue to die to cops who don’t deserve to hold the badge and serve and protect the law cannot should not and must not pick and choose who they want to serve and protect."

The event was also organized by the group Black Vancouver, who hope the protest could serve as a powerful example of a way to create change. 

One highlight of the protest included a minute of silence, in which protesters held their fists raised in solidarity. 

Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer expressed his gratitude following Sunday evening's protest:

Vancouver Police say no arrests were made Sunday in relation to the protest. 

Here are some images from Sunday's protest in Vancouver:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Equality. Today I attended the peaceful protest @blackvancouver that took place outside @vanartgallery . Recent events in Minneapolis against a former born and raised Texan have shook the world. As a woman of color from Texas, I haven’t said much on this event bc when I heard what happened, I wasn’t shocked. I was disappointed. Disappointed that this continues. Disappointed that others didn’t think this was still a common problem in the states and around the world. Disappointed. Today I heard many stories of injustice and wrong doing. I hope this rally is a step towards equality for all. Of course, in order for change to occur, we must do more than rally. We must ensure that who we are, our family and friends, who and where we work with and who represents us in political positions will not stand for injustice but will fight for inclusion and equality for all ✊❤️. #vanspc #streetphotography #streetphotographer #somewheremagazine #f22bestphoto #streetsgrammer #street_avengers #blacklivesmatter #blm #strongertogether #equality #equalityforall #black #eyephotomagazine #vancouver_urban_streets #stickvancouver #thestreetphotographyhub #thestreephers #streets_storytelling #streets_unseen #fromstreetswithlove #capturestreets #womeninstreet #womenofcolor #womenstreetphotographers #vancouver #fujifilmxt2 #23mm #lizanavphotography

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✊🏻🖤 #georgefloyd

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BLACK. LIVES. MATTER. White privilege is 100% real and if you do not believe that it is, you are proof that it exists because you have been sheltered your whole life without understanding the struggles of POC. If you do not fear for your life in the presence of a cop, you have white privilege. If you do not have to think twice about your safety every single day, you have privilege. If you are white you will never experience the injustice poc go through every single day. You have a voice you must use it, speak out against police brutality, speak out against racism, protest, we must fight alongside our black brothers and sisters we CANNOT let these senseless killings keep happening at the hands of corrupted cops. Use your white privilege to help and support black people, if you are neutral on this situation and do not speak up your silence has turned into violence and you have chosen the side of the oppressor. The only way to get through this is if we unite and fight together. #blacklivesmatter #vancouver #acab #1312 #asians4blacklives #nojusticenopeace #fuck12 #noracistpolice #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforregis #justiceforahmaud #justiceforbreonnataylor

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this is the world in 2020

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This afternoon, I attended the Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Vancouver. The bravery and generosity displayed by our city’s black population was amazing (yes, there are more black people here than us white people probably believe). They shared their experiences and rallied the crowd in a way that was deeply vulnerable and illuminating. I witnessed my friend @djoshow welcome everyone onto unceded Squamish / Tsleil-Waututh / Musqueam land. I was moved by the solidarity felt within the crowd — people were deeply respectful of each other’s energy and space (and every damn person was wearing a mask). I overheard a white police officer say “the only people we are concerned about today are the anarchists trying to incite violence.” Um, WHAT? I was blown away. And he was right — the only intense energy I witnessed today came from anarchists intent on creating disarray. The brilliant protest organizers had warned the crowd about these people, and the crowd responded in the smartest way — when the anarchists started acting up, the crowd gave them NO time or energy. It was mesmerizing. Today’s protest gave me hope. And most importantly, I hope it signalled to the black people in Vancouver that there is a community of people who are riding with them and committed to anti-racism, both within ourselves and our city. Also....this Karen sign is AMAZING. 😂✊ #BLACKLIVESMATTER #GIVINGAFUCKMATTERS #SOLIDARITYFOREVER #KEEPGOING

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b l a c k l i v e s m a t t e r

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may we always stand up against injustice, not just today but every day #blacklivesmatter

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People amaze me ❤️

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May 31, 2020 | “Silence is compliance” #blacklivesmatter #BLM #Vancouver ✊🏽

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