#RiseUpOctober protests against police killing civilians begin in New York
Hundreds gathered in New York City’s Times Square on Thursday, launching a three-day protest against officer-involved killings, brutality and mass imprisonment dubbed “Rise Up October.”
The three-day protest began Thursday morning with a “Say Their Names” rally. Hundreds gathered in midtown Manhattan to hear relatives speak about their loved ones who were killed by police officers over the past several years.
#RiseUpOctober takes to streets of NYC against police brutality
LIVE NOW: https://t.co/hswUAO0FCf#SayTheirNamespic.twitter.com/aStZYfuDq4
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) October 22, 2015
Families of people killed by cops reading the stories of their loved ones in Times Square right now. #RiseUpOctoberpic.twitter.com/VpN72LYj8k
— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) October 22, 2015
With the help of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network, the rally was organized by Carl Dix of the Revolutionary Communist Party and author and activist Dr. Cornel West.
TODAY 10AM, Times Square, NYC. A Public Reading & Remembrance: No More Stolen Lives; #SayTheirNames#RiseUpOctoberpic.twitter.com/M1Pe9RztaC
— LiberatedPeople (@WeAreLiberated) October 22, 2015
The organizers said their goal was to organize “mass determined resistance” to a “matrix of oppression.”
Follow #RiseUpOctober for 3 days of organizing and protests against police brutality
https://t.co/NuNRIamskspic.twitter.com/fxVvOHyelf
— Artists Space (@artistsspace) October 22, 2015
Among the celebrities who endorsed the rally was director Quentin Tarantino, who at one point shared the stage with actress Gina Belafonte.
Gina Belafonte and Quenton Tarantino at #SayTheirNames#FreddeGray#GabriellaNevarez#MikeBrown#AkaiGurkeypic.twitter.com/dS1q2CwNL1
— Linda Perry Barr (@lindaperrybarr) October 22, 2015
Faith leaders from a number of religious communities supported the gathering.
Our own @IdeasDoneDaily at #RiseUpOctober w/@PeterHeltzel & other faith leaders praying, calling for justice #BLMpic.twitter.com/MQ4Vyc6F67
— Middle Church (@middlechurch) October 22, 2015
Also in attendance at the rally were members of the Raging Grannies, the New York chapter of a global movement promoting peace, justice and social and economic equality.
The raging grannies are in Times Square also to #SayTheirNames! #RiseUpOctoberhttps://t.co/HV50yKI3Xm
— JamesFromTheInternet (@JamesFTInternet) October 22, 2015
Heavy police presence shadowed the event.
I kinda feel like I'm being followed... #RiseUpOctober#SayTheirNames#NYPDhttps://t.co/VvaLDkXPX9
— JamesFromTheInternet (@JamesFTInternet) October 22, 2015
Thursday's march ended with a rally in Brooklyn.
#Brooklyn#NYC: Peace Poets here at #RiseUpOctober rally singing #ICantBreathe! #BlackLivesMatter#EricGarnerpic.twitter.com/ETTDk2cvr5
— Ash J (@AshAgony) October 22, 2015
Friday morning will see the “Shut Down Rikers” protest, aimed against the city’s notorious prison, which is plagued by accusations of violence, brutality and sexual abuse.
The main event is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, with an 11 a.m. rally in lower Manhattan’s Washington Square Park, followed by a march to Bryant Park in midtown.