We Haven’t Forgotten the Reasons Why We Protested During 2020 and 2021
Most people that visit Richmond, Virginia don’t count it as the south. That’s where they’re wrong. We may not have the best sweet tea, but we were once the capital of the Confederacy, unfortunately. There’s so much raw history located here and history that is constantly being made with everyday that passes. You can feel it in the streets, in the air and specifically at the spots where there used to be statues of prominent figures in the past.
In 2020, there were many protests throughout Richmond and across Virginia. Some were peaceful, some were silent, and some… not so much. Points were made thoroughly, but it didn’t always feel like they were respected by the government. These protests centered around police brutality and the dangers of being Black in America — and in Richmond. The police proved many of our points by how they handled (and continue to handle) the masses: tear gassing peaceful protests, infiltrating demonstrations, making unlawful arrests, and more. It’s clear the police and the government don’t want change, so the community has been left to force their hand.
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Richmond is always evolving and sticking with the times even if the government isn’t. We still haven’t forgotten the reasons why we protested during 2020 and 2021, but the energy has been focused on topics that have been bubbling up ever since Donald Trump and associates forced themselves into office. Recently, there have been many protests that counteract Israel’s wrongdoings against Palestine. Mainly taking place around the VCU area of Richmond. The American government's backing of Israel has really rubbed people the wrong way. The inhumane treatment, bombings, and innocence being taken away from children is extremely unjust and the people of Richmond just can’t stand back and watch these things unfold. This generation hasn’t been scared one bit of the government because we know the people hold the true power. We need to force our hand just like the government does to other countries and within their own.
As of recently there have been many protests taking place across Virginia to combat Donald Trump’s “war on the working class” and his “billionaire takeover”. Everyday people are becoming more and more tired of the simple things being flirted with being taken away from them along with the things in some states that already have been.
While some fights may not be intersectional in some aspects, Richmond always finds its way to come together for what’s truly right overall to us as HUMAN BEINGS.
