Standing with Charleston massacre victims

Philadelphia
WW photo: Joseph Piette

Detroit
WW photo: Kris Hamel

A protest and speakout against the Charleston, S.C., terrorist massacre and systemic racism was held in downtown Detroit on June 26. Called by the Moratorium NOW! Coalition, activists lined Woodward Avenue during the busy afternoon rush hour as Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball fans were pouring into nearby Comerica Park. Many drivers and passersby signaled their support. Pictured here on the microphone is Tachae Davis of the youth organization FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand Together), who called for an end to the killing of transgender women of color and all racist violence.

In Philadelphia, led by marchers holding signs bearing the names and photos of the nine Black men and women murdered in Charleston, S.C., a couple hundred protesters walked about four miles, despite rain, in outrage against violence by racists both in and out of uniform. Following a rally at the corner of Broad Street and Erie Avenue in the heart of North Philadelphia, marchers chanted “Justice for the 9 in Charleston!” and handed out fliers to bystanders, some of whom joined the walk.

At Temple University, “Austerity to Prosperity” attendees at the U.S. Social Forum joined the march, increasing the number of banners, signs and participants. The protest ended across the street from City Hall at the statue of this city’s most notoriously racist mayor, Frank Rizzo, where people with the by now wind-and-rain-damaged posters of the nine South Carolina victims lined up and Philly Coalition for Racial, Economic and Legal Justice member Erica Mines read each one of their names.

Kris Hamel and Joe Piette contributed to this article.