On
Tuesday evening, a group gathered at Mount Vernon Square. They gathered to
protest the failure of a grand jury to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson
police officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown. The protestors came
from all walks of life – suits and rastacaps lining up to announce their
intention: “No justice. No peace. No racist police.” Someone walked around
handing out granola bars, and cases of bottled water were stored beside a tree.
As the crowd grew, people stepped up to the microphone, expressing
their frustration, anger, and the need for action from political
leaders.

Starting
their march down Massachusetts Ave, the crowd grew by the hundreds. Their
voices echoed down the streets with various chants calling not only for justice
for Michael Brown, but for an end to police corruption across the country.
Several young voices could be heard, small hands raised as they shouted, “Don’t
shoot!”

Protestors
moved peacefully down the streets, holding banners and waving flags. Police
shut down the streets ahead of marchers, stopping traffic and enabling them to
move safely. A few buses were delayed due to the street shutdown which gave
passengers unexpected front row seats to the demonstration. Passing by
apartments, several faces could be seen pressed against their window glass,
phones in hand to record the demonstration. This lead to marchers encouraging
them to join in. They yelled, “Come down stairs!” and waving at the people above
them. A few did come jogging out of their doors a few minutes later, joining into the crowd.

The
first stop was at Walmart, where those expressed anger at the minimum
wage and the business’s treatment of its employees. They surrounded the
building for about 10 minutes before continuing their march, photographers
running ahead of them and trying to find a high enough vantage point to
accurately capture the scale of the movement.

The
excitement increased as the group came closer to their destination – Chinatown.
Linking arms, they presented a united front as they marched down H Street and
walked under the iconic Friendship Archway.
The bright paint and gold detailing glinted as camera flashes went off from all
directions. Several workers stepped outside, clapping and encouraging the
marchers as they walked past. One older woman mouthed, “Thank you God,” as they
passed by. Martial arts students could be seen with faced pressed against the
glass of their second story studio, still wearing protective gear. One of them
tapped her gloved hands rhythmically against the glass in time with the
chanting.

Protestors
climbed the steps of the National Portrait Gallery, filling the stairs and
holding their signs even higher. Once as many as possible had been squeezed in
front of the building, they sat down. Raising up their hands, in unison, they
called, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” while the crowd around them cheered, yelled,
expressed all of the emotions that had built up over decades of mistreatment.

The
demonstration ended with everyone again linking arms and singing, “We shall
overcome,” an adaption of a popular gospel song. Their notes reverberated off of
the surrounding buildings, echoing down the streets. The crowd began to
disperse around 9:30 p.m. Some headed home down the streets, others to the
metro, and a smaller group continued to the White House.

But
even as linked arms were dropped and chanting turned into friendly
conversation, their singing still seemed to echo through the streets – a
promise that their fight is far from over, and they will continue that fight
until there has been justice for Michael Brown and every other victim of the
racism that plagues this country.