This video marks the debut of Project Justice, a multimedia series by WestVirginiaVille.com, devoted to Election Year 2020, Black Lives Matter, and Racism in America. Follow us at westvirginiaville.substack.com
Below is a short and to-the-point video. It depicts a Black Lives Matter street painting on Park Avenue in Charleston WV. It was painted in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. The list begins: BLACK LIVES MATTER.
And then: SAY THEIR NAMES.
On this list, are a lot of names of black people, killed by police officers. Below are all the names. Some famous, a few historic. All of them individuals who were loved, who had dreams. Who, like you and I, had issues and challenges, joys and loves.
They were sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. Parents and friends, nieces and nephews. Loved ones. Treasured infants. Nervous schoolkids. Tentative adults. Trying to figure out life, in all its messiness and pain.
Some had criminal records, some did not. What justifies an extra-judicial killing in the street, in an apartment, anywhere in America?
The list keeps growing, doesn’t it? You want to say they found a knife in the car of a black man killed with seven shots to the back by a white officer, while his three kids in the car watched in horror? A knife on the floor of a car justifies summary execution?
The list keeps growing. The list is long. You may not know most of the names and their stories.
At least, see and say their names.
TEXT OF STREET SIGN, PARK AVENUE, Charleston WV
Say Their Names:
Trayvon Martin
Tamir Rice
Michael Brown Jr.
Eric Garner
Philando Castile
Sandra Bland
Freddie Gray
Aiyana Jones
Laquan McDonald
Oscar Grant
Sean Bell
Walter Scott
Alton Sterling
Timothy Thomas
Danroy Henry Jr.
Terence Crutcher
Stephon Clark
Antwon Rose II
Atatiana Jefferson
Botham Jean
Travis Jordan
PLEASE STOP KILLING US
8min 46 sec
George Floyd
David McAtee
Tony McDade
Dreasjon Reed
Breonna Taylor
Donnie Sanders
William Howard Green
Michael Dean
Phillip White
Amadou Diallo
Rayshard Brooks
Jeremy Lett
Jerame Reid
I CANT BREATHE
Ahmaud Arbery
E.J. Bradford
Miles Hall
Jamee Johnson
Samuel David Mallard
Terrance Franklin
John Crawford III
HANDS UP DONT SHOOT
Ariane McCree
Elijah McClain
Ezell Ford
Rekia Boyd
Akai Gurley
Kendra James
Kelly Thomas
Anthony Hill
Bobby Gross
Lavall Hall
O’Shae Terry
Thomas Allen
Eric Harris
David Felix
George Stinney Jr.
Artago Damon Howard
Michael Stewart
Spencer McCain
Samuel DuBose
Natasha McKenna
Manuell Loggins Jr.
Felix Kunai
India Kager
Kris Jackson
Jamar Clark
Tony Green
Michael Noel
Cynthia Fields
Antwun Shumpert
Ryan Twyman
Isaiah Lewis
Yvette Smith
Peter Gaines
Kevin Hicks
David Joseph
COLOR IS NOT A CRIME
Darius Stewart
Victor Manuel Larosa
Tony Robinson
Brandon Jones
Frank Shepherd
William Chapman
Brendon Glenn
Salvado Ellswood
Fred Hampton
Christian Taylor
Chavis Carter
Victor White III
Latanya Haggerty
Margaret Laverne
Asshams Pharoah Manley
Junior Prosper
Bettie Jones
Calin Roquemore
Vernell Bing
Deravis Caine Rogers
Dalvin Hollins
Donnell Thompson
Levonia Riggins
Alfred Olango
Antronie Scott
Emmett Till
MUSIC: Jarren Jackson
PRODUCTION: Bobby Lee Messer
