The new demonstrations come in the wake of two high-profile killings of blacks this week by white police officers. On Wednesday, 37-year-old Alton Sterling was shot in the back by police while pinned to the ground in a gas station parking lot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That same night, 32-year-old Philando Castile was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
— Baynard Woods (@baynardwoods) July 8, 2016
— supergrover (@fuzzlaw) July 8, 2016
On Friday night, activists returned to the streets to protest the killings, including massive demonstrations in Georgia, and St. Louis, Missouri. Protesters have also gathered in front of the White House in Washington DC.
— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) July 8, 2016
— yennys liz (@hugegrl) July 8, 2016
— Simit Shah (@simit_shah) July 8, 2016
In Atlanta, protesters have blocked the entrance to I-75.
— (((JT))) (@Insurgent_Prof) July 9, 2016
Earlier on Friday, rappers Snoop Dogg and The Game led a peaceful march in support of BLM through Los Angeles city streets to LAPD headquarters, meeting with the city’s police chief.
— MQ Party (@MQParty) July 8, 2016
— Κιάιrα ♡ (@BlvckConscious) July 8, 2016
In a show of solidarity, marchers in London expressed support for the BLM movement. Protesters carried signs and chanted "Hands up, don’t shoot."
— Nick Rondinone (@nickrondinone) July 9, 2016
Violence erupted during an otherwise peaceful protest in Dallas on Thursday night. While protesters gathered quietly, mingling with police officers, a shooter identified as Micah Xavier Johnson opened fired on police, killing five and injuring seven. BLM condemned the shooting, and the group intends to continue organizing over the weekend.
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) July 8, 2016
— Jim Chambers (@jccfergie) July 9, 2016
"There are some who would use these events to stifle a movement for change and quicken the demise of a vibrant discourse on the human rights of Black Americans. We should reject all of this," BLM said in a statement.
— DJ SYDNEY⚡️LOVE (@SYDNEYLXVE) July 8, 2016
— Thatninjajay (@julianelijah) July 9, 2016
"Black activists have raised the call for an end to violence, not an escalation of it. Yesterday’s attack was the result of the actions of a lone gunman. To assign the actions of one person to an entire movement is dangerous and irresponsible. We continue our efforts to bring about a better world for all of us."
— Josh Einiger (@JoshEiniger7) July 9, 2016
— Gambit (@The_Gambit) July 8, 2016
— Search4Swag (@search4swag) July 8, 2016
A number of violent incidents were reported across the country on Friday. An officer in a St. Louis suburb was shot during a traffic stop. A man fired indiscriminately along a highway in Tennessee, killing one person and injuring three others.
