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'I wonder for the future of my kids': 9 protesters in Chicago told us why they felt compelled to take to the streets after George Floyd's deathhttps://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/aposi-wonder-for-the-future-of-my-kidsapos-9-protesters-in-chicago-told-us-why-they-felt-compelled-to-take-to-the-streets-after-george-floydaposs-death/slidelist/76221272.cms2020-06-05T20:55:25+05:30

'I wonder for the future of my kids': 9 protesters in Chicago told us why they felt compelled to take to the streets after George Floyd's death

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Jonathan BallewJun 5, 2020, 20:55 IST

'I wonder for the future of my kids': 9 protesters in Chicago told us why they felt compelled to take to the streets after George Floyd's death — More than 1,000 people gathered in Chicago's Rogers Park on Wednesday for a "Honk for Justice" rally supporting Black Lives Matter.
Participants held up signs reading "Silence is violence" as motorists beeped their horns in approval.
The rally was one of three scheduled for Wednesday by organizers Jocelyn Prince and Madison Kamp.
"It's really emotional to see people who don't look like me be this interested in anything concerning people that look like me," Aiko Rose, a 24-year-old black man, told Insider.
After a weekend of violent clashes between police and demonstrators in Chicago, protests in the city have taken a more peaceful tone this week.
On Wednesday afternoon, more than 1,000 people gathered in Rogers Park for a "Honk for Justice" rally, "providing visibility on the street corner for the Black Lives Matter movement," according to organizers Jocelyn Prince and Madison Kamp's Facebook invitation.
At around 4 pm, a crowd gathered along North Sheridan Road.
Demonstrators gather on North Sheridan Road at West Greenleaf Ave in Chicago's Rogers Park, on June 3, 2020.Jonathan Ballew
Some waved signs reading "I can't breathe" and "Silence is violence." Others banged on pots and pans.
"I like the feeling of all of the support in the Rogers Park neighborhood," Gregory Daniels, a 55-year-old African-American elementary school teacher, told Insider. "I feel like this is the beginning of a new movement in our country."
Eventually, the group moved south, shutting down Sheridan Road and Clark Street as the marched. After circling the neighborhood for another hour, the crowd dispersed.
Some went home, while others headed to a rally in Bronzeville outside Chicago Police Department headquarters.
We spoke with participants at the Honk for Justice rally to find out why they were there.

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Emmanuel Nwamo, 40

Emmanuel Nwamo, 40 — Emmanuel Nwamo (in blue mask) immigrated from Nigeria 11 years ago to Rogers Park. He is a father to two kids — a boy, 7, and girl, 6 — and runs his own transportation company. Jonathan Ballew
"What brought me out here was a gruesome murder. It brought me to tears. I have two black kids growing up in America today. I wonder for the future of my kids. I worry about [their lives] every day."

Tobi Ewuosho, 22

Tobi Ewuosho, 22 — Tobi Ewuosho, holding a blue fist, has lived on the North Side his whole life. He just graduated from Alabama State University and is pursuing a career in professional basketball. Jonathan Ballew
"As a black man in America, I know we have an everyday struggle. I wanted to practice what I preach, to be out here, in my community, in Chicago. To show that I stand with my brothers and sisters in America, those who are fallen and those who are still alive. Police brutality has been ruining this nation for God knows how many years."

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Jonathan Rivera, 44.

Jonathan Rivera, 44. — Jonathan Rivera bangs a pot next to a police squad car. Jonathan Ballew
"I am happy that this movement has come to my neighborhood. I want to participate in holding police accountable for the violence that they do unjustly to people. Especially people of color, especially African-Americans."

Katie Cheatham, 37

Katie Cheatham, 37 — Katie Cheatham (back turned) works for an educational publishing company. Jonathan Ballew
"As white people, it is our responsibility more than anybody's to come out and fight against racial injustice. We've been sitting stagnant and quiet for too long and this is our time to really step up."

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Aiko Rose, 24

Aiko Rose, 24 — Aiko Rose, in striped tank top, lives in Rogers Park. Jonathan Ballew
"I feel overwhelmed. It's really emotional to see people who don't look like me be this interested in anything concerning people that look like me. I guess I'm just shocked because I never knew this could happen. It's overwhelming, scary, and uncomfortable to think that so many people really care."

Gregory Daniels, 55

Gregory Daniels, 55 — Gregory Daniels (in Obama shirt) is an elementary school teacher in Evanston. He has lived in Rogers Park for decades. Jonathan Ballew
"I like the feeling of all of the support in the Rogers Park neighborhood, as I have not ventured out lately as a 55-year-old black Chicagoan during COVID-19. I'm very hopeful for the future, especially with the verdicts that came down earlier this afternoon. I feel like this is the beginning of a new movement in our country."

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Jennifer Clark, 48

Jennifer Clark, 48 — Jennifer Clark with her son Elijah Perry, 6. Jonathan Ballew
"This is about damn time. It's terrifying, especially being a white woman with a black son in America." (Tears up.) "I'm worried I won't be able to teach him something he needs to know in order to stay alive."

Kim Erwin, 55

Kim Erwin, 55 — Kim Erwin (not pictured) is a design strategist in healthcare. She used to live in Rogers Park but now lives nearby in Evanston. Jonathan Ballew
"I don't know how anybody can look at this and not understand that we have a police problem in this country. I've never had a good encounter with the police in Chicago and I've been here since 1968."

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Alfredo Sanchez Duarte

Alfredo Sanchez Duarte — Alfredo Sanchez Duarte was born in Mexico and immigrated to the US when he was 4. Jonathan Ballew
"This is a time as bad as any in our history. Not only are Black people being killed for no apparent reason, but Mexicans are being held in cages in immigration jails."

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice — Jonathan Ballew

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Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally — Jonathan Ballew

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally — Jonathan Ballew

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Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally — Jonathan Ballew

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally — A police van parked near the rally in Rogers Park. Jonathan Ballew

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Jonathan Ballew

honk for justice

honk for justice — Participants at the Honk for Justice rally in Rogers Park, Chicago, on June 3, 2020. Jonathan Ballew

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Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally

Jonathan Ballew honk for justice rally — Jonathan Ballew

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