The #ReclaimMLK marches, which started over the weekend, are efforts to reclaim the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr, who activists believe would be appalled at police violence perpetrated on African-Americans, particularly in light of the recent deaths of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner, among others.
So what did you do to #ReclaimMLK today...we took the parade back pic.twitter.com/MzmF2Plo03
— NaturalBlackRadical (@MontagueSimmons) January 19, 2015
In Washington, DC, marchers started from the White House and moved through the city while being watch by a heavy police presence.
Right Now: #4MileMarch in progress through DC blocking streets drawing attention to police brutality #ReclaimMLK pic.twitter.com/wsdpjeSSic
— john zangas (@johnzangas) January 19, 2015
Meanwhile, New York City streets were full of protesters.
New York is packed!!! ##DREAM4JUSTICE #ReclaimMLK pic.twitter.com/Z6oS7T5MDY
— Jason Rosenberg (@mynameisjro) January 19, 2015
Many New York marchers have rallied at the United Nations building. United Nations human rights experts recently reviewed the United States on its racial justice record finding thatpeople of color face obstacles to the enjoyment of human rights leading to troubling disparities in income, wealth and safety. They have called the spate of deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police a human rights violation.
Getting to march to the UN now #Dream4Justice #ReclaimMLK #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/E7AwtUpuXX
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) January 19, 2015
Activists also rallied in St. Louis not far from where Michael Brown was shot to death by a police officer in what many call a violation of his rights.
Kids Matter. STL. #ReclaimMLK pic.twitter.com/1HmGdKywZH
— deray (@deray) January 19, 2015
Protesters in Oakland also rallied at Fruitvale station where Oscar Grant was shot in the back while handcuffed and face down.
Dozens are also marching in Cleveland where 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was holding a toy gun, was killed by police.
I'm broadcasting '#Denver #reclaimMLK ' live on @Ustream. Come watch and chat! — http://t.co/EGNFfZGpVg (11:31am)
— Wayward Streamer (@WaywardStreamer) January 19, 2015
And several hundreds have turned out in Boston.
Site of the #Boston Massacre #4MileMarch #4MileBoston #ReclaimMLK #BlackLivesMatter @BLM_Boston pic.twitter.com/w74YXoI95H
— haygun (@ErichHaygun) January 19, 2015