Across the country people are fighting and standing up for what they believe in, and the Black Lives Matter movement has been making an impact. With the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd black people and like minded individuals alike are standing up to the oppressive and racist behavior that is happening. Dozens of people came out and gathered in support of a BLM protest in Frankenmuth MI, on Saturday Oct. 24, 2020. Weeks prior to this protest there was a Trump rally held, where Trump supporters and local “Proud Boys” verbally and physically assaulted members of the community who opposed their views and remarks.

DeWaun Robinson, president of the Black Lives Matter Flint chapter organized the protest to bring the community of Frankenmuth together, rather than have it be divided with racism. “We’re here to show support to the two percent of the population of Frankenmuth that Black Lives Matter, truly matters,” Robinson said. Local Frankenmuth resident Darian Demante helped organize the event as well. Having to live in the city after the protest is all said and done, keeping things peaceful was the number on priority during walk. People of all different backgrounds came out to support and share their words on the matter.

Jonathan Kelly an East Lansing resident came out originally to support George Floyd, standing for black lives and getting Trump out of office. His close friend Geoph Essen believes in the same thing, but wants to focus more on global democracy and world peace. Essen was physically assaulted by three “Proud Boys” during the Trump rally in Frankenmuth.

“I’m here because I have so many friends and family I care about. We are all people and we all deserve to be happy and get justice when we are wronged,” Sidney Ready had this to say when asked why she was participating in the protest.

With the world up in smokes with the pandemic going on, and the election tensions are high enough. Adding racism to the mix just makes for an even more volatile state for society to exist in. Black Lives matter, and it’s not to say that everyone’s else’s lives aren’t as equally as important. The black community is facing far more racial injustice than the other races though, period, and that needs to be addressed.

Shooting this assignment had me hesitant at first given the things that are happening in the world, and seeing what some of the BLM protests have turned out to be in certain areas. Once I got there though and actually participated in the walk while I was shooting it made me feel a sense of involvement, that my voice was being heard whether people wanted to hear it or not. Seeing the crowds of people look on in shock, or disgust was hard to deal with up close. There were quite a few on lookers who shouted racist remarks, or yelled back about blue lives or white lives mattering as well. Their lives matter, but they don’t have to worry or face as many fears as black people. I feel that there’s a giant disconnect when people hear or see “BLM” like everyone else doesn’t matter, or we’re trying to take away their rights. If you’re so upset that you feel your rights are being taken away, use some fucking empathy and see that that’s what black people have been saying and feeling this entire time.