‘Millions March’ against police brutality

13 Dec, 2014 16:10 / Updated 9 years ago

Protesters are taking to the streets by the thousands in cities across the US to protest grand juries’ decisions not to indict the white officers responsible for the deaths of two unarmed black men, and demand police accountability.

14 December 2014

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Protesters on the streets of Oakland #BlackLivesMatterhttps://t.co/RzCfIXz0Hd

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 14, 2014

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My dad's eyes is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.gave me chills thanks NYC MY CITY #icantbreathepic.twitter.com/MZaDBWWm3j

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 14, 2014

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Now at 75th Precinct #MillionsMarchNYChttps://t.co/m83rTwvQQm

— Shawn Carrié (@shawncarrie) December 14, 2014

March at 75th precinct in #brooklyn doing die in for #AkaiGurley#ShutItDownNYC#momentofsilence#MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/v9JNoynpAd

— People's Monday (@ShutItDownNYC) December 14, 2014

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We just reached Lincoln Terrace Park-March Leaders do a mic check:"We didn't come out to East NY for nothing. The 75th Precinct is corrupt."

— Shawn Carrié (@shawncarrie) December 14, 2014

Hour 8! #bedstuy#MillionMarchNYC MillionMarchNYC #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/xtNXYlC0CR

— Lucky Tran (@luckytran) December 14, 2014

Meanwhile in Oakland, popular Ferguson streamer Bassem Masri was attacked and had his phone taken away. Masri was broadcasting the Oakland protest live on Ustream at the time of the attack. According to reports on Twitter, the streamer was not hurt, but his device was broken.

Looks like someone my have stolen Bassem's phone, guys appear to be attacking him(8:00 on livestream video http://t.co/nlt8Mb97il)

— Angela Williams (@angela_williams) December 14, 2014

Everyone asking: @bassem_masri is fine but his phone isn’t. He’s with @Rebelutionary_Z right now. http://t.co/jlgBrn59FL

— (re)becca ツ (@bexology_) December 14, 2014

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Protesters describe "Dozens and dozens and dozens of cop vans filled with riot squad" in #BlackLivesMatter March as it goes into Brooklyn

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 14, 2014

Crown heights represent! #MillionMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/4SHDaj3jSc

— NYC Light Brigade (@NYCLightBrigade) December 14, 2014

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Video of protesters in New York singing "ain't no stopping us now." Via @KeeganNYChttps://t.co/YcjC6ZUbyw#MillionsMarchNYC

— Jim Dalrymple II (@JimDalrympleII) December 14, 2014

Protesters are staging a ‘die-in’ in eastern Brooklyn, according to live stream from the scene.

DIE-IN IN THE MIDDLE OF EASTERN PARKWAY, Brooklyn. #MillionsMarchNYC#ShutItDown#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/kMZKYqjiYa

— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) December 14, 2014

Watch this amazing time-lapse video of today’s Millions March passing 6th Ave in New York City.

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Marching through prospect heights. Residents are coming out clapping from stoops! #MillionMarchNYC#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/tTblKSz8c8

— Lucky Tran (@luckytran) December 14, 2014

Still going in prospect heights brooklyn #blacklivesmatterhttps://t.co/55Bc2Sbaww

— Lucky Tran (@luckytran) December 14, 2014

Cars in Brooklyn are honking in rhythm with the chants shouted by the marching protesters.

At Barclays Center right now #MillionMarchNYC#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/F7s6IRcjOX

— Lucky Tran (@luckytran) December 14, 2014

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Cop car covered in protest signs #millionsmarchNYCpic.twitter.com/DsFenqfzMm

— Yohana Desta (@YohanaDesta) December 13, 2014

Shutting down the bridge #millionsmarchNYChttps://t.co/JZzYE6TBIW

— Yohana Desta (@YohanaDesta) December 14, 2014

Traffic is now being blocked in Brooklyn. Some people are beeping in solidarity.

typical NYC traffic at 7:45 on a Saturday (left) vs. current NYC traffic (right) #brooklynbridge#MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/mVPMwrQj2t

— Roy Germano (@RoyGermano) December 14, 2014

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At least one arrest on Brooklyn Bridge. #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/POAki6uNsi

— thomas macmillan (@TRMacM) December 14, 2014

NYC demonstrators have peacefully crossed the Brooklyn Bridge while chanting slogans against police brutality and singing songs. Some drivers could be heard honking their horns in solidarity with the protest.

Only one arrest has so far been reported in connection with the bridge shutdown, which is not part of the ‘Millions March,’ according to organizers.

Thank you to @RevoltTV for setting the record straight! The march is over, anything else is independent!! pic.twitter.com/DH6wql1kpN

— Millions March NYC (@MillionsMarch) December 14, 2014

The police entourage helping us shut down the Brooklyn Bridge. Hah! #MillionsMarchNYC #BlackLivesMatter

A video posted by Kyle Depew (@upsidewalkdown) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:54pm PST

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Protestors take the #BrooklynBridge#icantbreathe cars aren't moving pic.twitter.com/DAfW4eMCng

— Isabel Rajabzadeh (@iRajabzadeh) December 14, 2014

Whoa. MT @heykim: #Brooklynbridge traffic at standstill now as #MillionsMarchNYC makes its way across pic.twitter.com/XHoIJ27srp /via @tvnooz

— Angela Rynan Durrell (@Rowaenthe) December 14, 2014

police move up brooklyn bridge #brooklynbridge#millionsmarchnyc#blacklivesmatter#icantbreathe#nypdpic.twitter.com/bOioZCSwi6

— Konstantin Sergeyev (@konstphoto) December 14, 2014

Watch live Ustream feed from the scene of the Brooklyn Bridge shutdown.

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Protesters have reportedly "shut down" the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, bringing traffic to a halt.

Beautiful. #brooklynbridge Right now. #MillionsMarchNYC#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/UcgnVvcJl9

— Jim Chambers (@jccfergie) December 13, 2014

shutting down the brooklyn bridge #brooklynbridge#millionsmarchnyc#blacklivesmatter#icantbreathepic.twitter.com/Ik0T6gYLYC

— Konstantin Sergeyev (@konstphoto) December 14, 2014

13 December 2014

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Prayer candles in front of Trinity Church #Copley#Boston for #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/75p4SUeyOC

— Frank (@SobriquetOfMine) December 13, 2014

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#millionsmarchSF reaches SF City Hall. pic.twitter.com/48CzKYq06R

— Karl Mondon (@karlmondon) December 13, 2014

Possibly the greatest concentration of SFPD I've ever seen #MillionsMarchSFpic.twitter.com/9rOJ6IjPsU

— We Built This City (@TheRealWBTC) December 13, 2014

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Face-shields coming down. Trouble brewing? #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/2vOrPvL01Y

— thomas macmillan (@TRMacM) December 13, 2014

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@gaumwhat: Signs. We protest the #nypdchokehold cops. #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/2UdPgLsdDb

— Babatope Fatuyi (@IamDrFaB) December 13, 2014

Protest puppy: No justice-No Peace! #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/64kPUiCDmb

— Marcos de Jesús (@MarcosylaGuagua) December 13, 2014

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Miles & miles & thousands and thousands screaming for justice. Can they hear us? #blacklivesmatter#MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/jiqwX0oxbW

— Raqiyah Mays (@RaqiyahMays) December 13, 2014

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The #MillionsMarchNYC has reached #NYPD headquarters #EricGarner#ICantBreathe

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

Thousands marching into 1 police plaza as families of victims speak out for justice #justice4all#MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/cDJu1o4vbW

— Millions March NYC (@MillionsMarch) December 13, 2014

Huge police presence at one police Plaza for #MillionsMarchNYC massive numbers of NYPD, will be interesting tonight pic.twitter.com/LEB5ZXhO9C

— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) December 13, 2014

At least 23 people have been arrested by police at the protest march in Boston.

“Troopers arrested 15 male and eight female demonstrators who ignored repeated orders to comply [with] the law,” according to David Procopio, a State Police spokesman.

All those arrested have reportedly been charged with disorderly conduct, and at least one male protester also faces an additional charge of assault and battery on a police officer.

Police rushing to block protesters out, arresting some #blacklivesmatter#millionsmarch Boston https://t.co/fz9DTFXuYN

— Dulce (@HeavenLeeOps) December 13, 2014

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#MillionsMarchSF headed up Market Street many blocks deep pic.twitter.com/a975bFfX17

— Karl Mondon (@karlmondon) December 13, 2014

Die-in, with recording of Eric Garner's last words #MillionsMarchSF#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/XaKMTHaJ4F

— Kate Sommers-Dawes (@ekatesd) December 13, 2014

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we've made it to the ny police dept #BlackLivesMatter#MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/WK9rOSl8PS

— nathanjurgenson (@nathanjurgenson) December 13, 2014

In the middle of it at Broadway #millionsmarchNYChttps://t.co/v5EwVHcLoH

— Nitai (@thenitai) December 13, 2014

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There are some 50,000 people at the #millionsmarchnyc according to organizers #blacklivesmatterpic.twitter.com/scjbVxOJBT

— Natalie Robehmed (@natrobe) December 13, 2014

"@thencarolsaid: Photo: #millionsmarchnyc, shirtless, in freezing temperature. Slavery, "past or present?" pic.twitter.com/0HabAW14Vr"

— shabbir gheewalla (@shabbirghewalla) December 13, 2014

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Traffic stopped by the #MillionsMarchNYC in SoHo. Side cross streets were not blocked by police ahead of time pic.twitter.com/eolIJhM4t9

— Patrick deHahn (@patrickdehahn) December 13, 2014

RT @gaumwhat: What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? NOW! #millionsmarchNYChttps://t.co/YBoecddsgm@adri16

— Viva la causa! (@70torinoman) December 13, 2014

"@smeagolsfree: Eric Garner. Michael Brown. Shut it down, shut it down #millionsmarchNYChttps://t.co/vNdULHJRA0"

— Michele Morris (@michelea2204) December 13, 2014

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New York NOW #millionsmarchNYCpic.twitter.com/KvPAhrOdud

— Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi) December 13, 2014

New York NOW #millionsmarchNYCpic.twitter.com/NbTsaPEmPK

— Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi) December 13, 2014

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RT @TheDailyEdge: We are the leaders we have been waiting for #millionsmarchNYChttps://t.co/uAqPn25wau/s/Pxr4 http://t.co/WPggRLMHIF

— Tisha V. Hudson (@OnceIPondered) December 13, 2014

There are a lot of white people taking part in the #MillionMarchNYC - at least a third of protesters there, RT‘s Aleksey Yaroshevsky reports.

The #MillionsMarchNYC is now moving further downtown via Broadway

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

A black woman shouting at a black #NYPD cop - hey hey ho ho, these racist cops have got to go #MillionsMarchNYC#EricGarner#ICantBreathe

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

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Got ourselves a good vantage point to see the endless crowd at #MillionMarchNYC#EricGarner#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/CjGc9WTr29

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

New York marchers call on authorities to fire police commissioner William Bratton

Fire #NYPD boss Bratton - one of the concrete claims of #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/PZehJN46zz

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

Police in DC largely stay out of protestors' way, though cop cars have reportedly blocked traffic.

DC protesters #ShutItDown. Don't see any cops intervening but cop cars blocking traffic from entering intersection pic.twitter.com/ALbSF1ehYc

— Kayla Epstein (@KaylaEpstein) December 13, 2014

Meanwhile, protestors in Minneapolis stage a huge die-in.

Minneapolis RT @colocha_rachel Large die-in happening as black youth read names. #MillionsMarchMpls#MillionsMarchpic.twitter.com/VZPYWZERpX

— Revolution News (@NewsRevo) December 13, 2014

Berkeley protesters head towards Oakland.

Berkeley march on the move towards Oakland #berkeleyprotests#Justice4All#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/H6Zf952j3h | Pic @sheeewoof |

— Revolution News (@NewsRevo) December 13, 2014

NYPD estimates number of protesters to be between 50,000 and 60,000.

NYPD says there's 50,000 to 60,000 protestors RIGHT NOW in NYC #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/Nd0JdTFYHn

— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) December 13, 2014

Eric Garner's eyes watch over the mass protests in New York.

This image - Eric Garner's eyes - from #MillionsMarchNYC#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/Kj6fzb25OK

— Gen Knoxx (@GenKnoxx) December 13, 2014

RT correspondent Alexey Yaroshevsky reports that while there are large numbers of police on streets, the NYC protest is "peaceful and very organized."

Police presence at #MillionsMarchNYC is huge. All peaceful and very organized so far #EricGarner#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/ZHmynJDESB

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

DC's streets lined with people "as far as the eye can see."

People as far as the eye can see: #DC#Justice4All via @aletweetsnews Live feed: http://t.co/7VbJDnoViQpic.twitter.com/wg7Ymk4P3s

— Conflict News (@rConflictNews) December 13, 2014

The #MillionsMarchNYC now moves along 6th avenue. Endless crowd, stretches for miles #EricGarner#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/LURPbqFiOp

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) December 13, 2014

Here's a bird's eye view of the NYC protest.

Aerial view of 5th ave #MillionsMarchNYC#ericgarner#blacklivesmatter#ShutItDown#nycprotest#HandsUpDontShootpic.twitter.com/o8QML019Fv

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) December 13, 2014

As Chicago crowds grow, at least three arrests have been reported.

#Chicago Protestors try to take to streets. At least 3 arrests #MillionsMarchChi#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/B2I7CXmoyN via @CarolineSiede

— Revolution News (@NewsRevo) December 13, 2014

Boston protesters report that riot police are being told to put their face guards on.

Riot cops outside of the jail are being instructed to put their face shields down. #BlackLivesMatter#bostonpic.twitter.com/SZ8WpdVwWO

— Andrew Sowle (@swerdna1121) December 13, 2014

Thousands march through the streets of New York.

"We have nothing to lose but our chains." #MillionMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/ibqY7iglgy

— Elizabeth Plank (@feministabulous) December 13, 2014

In DC Eric Garner's daughter called for 11 seconds of silence for the 11 times Garner said "I can't breathe" as he was being held down in a banned chokehold that killed him.

Demonstrators in NYC chant "hands up, don't shoot" and "shut it down, shut it down" as they march through the city.

Chanting, "Shut it down, shut it down." pic.twitter.com/8XBUPgiXi1

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 13, 2014

Chanting, "Hands up, don't shoot." pic.twitter.com/mojpIHjLkw

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 13, 2014

Street closures in preparation for #Justice4All march reported in NYC.

Aaand takeoff -- 5th ave is closed from wash sq upward. Police on the scene not sure how far up. #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/Wkt7tHDxhC

— Julia Longoria (@juliailongoria) December 13, 2014

Meanwhile, NYPD prepare barricades.

Readying the barricades #MillionsMarchNYCpic.twitter.com/35zybthTqw

— Molly Crabapple (@mollycrabapple) December 13, 2014

NYC protesters cheer as speaker addresses crowd, shouting, "We will shut New York City down" in Washington Square.

Crowd cheers as leader heard over microphone in Washington Square, "We will shut New York City down!" #MillionsMarchNYC

— Patrick deHahn (@patrickdehahn) December 13, 2014

Protesters take to the streets in Memphis, Austin and Chicago.

Crowds gather and prepare to march at Washington Square in NYC.

At Wash Sq pic.twitter.com/dMM4oMf83h

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 13, 2014

Al Sharpton leads the crowd in a chant of "Hands up, don't shoot."

Rev. Al Sharpton said he's inspired when he sees young white kids holding up signs that say black lives matter in DC pic.twitter.com/SqsavnAb4o

— Mira Wassef (@MiraWassef) December 13, 2014

Families of Michael Brown Jr., Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and John Crawford—all killed by police—take to the stage.

"We will get justice for our children. Believe that," Samaria Rice, mother of the slain 12-year-old, told the crowd.

Rev. Al Sharpton addresses the crowd.

“We are here to call on Congress and the national government to do what was done before. We need national legislation and intervention to save us from state grand juries,” he says.

“You can bury us, but you didn’t know you were burying seeds. When you bury us we sprout up and start blocking traffic. Our seeds grow in the civil disobedience. Bury us if you want but we’ll grow stronger,” Sharpton says to a cheering crowd.

Sharpton says protestors are seeking “equal protection under the law."

"That’s not black against white. It’s right against wrong. That’s why whites and blacks are here together. This is an American march for the rights of American people.”

Reportedly 400 protesters from Ferguson were bussed to DC for the event.

Eric Garner's mother marches with Cynthia Davis of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network

Eric garners mom Gwen Carr and Cynthia Davis from NAN march in DC pic.twitter.com/r99VmEjPKB

— Mira Wassef (@MiraWassef) December 13, 2014

Some 10,000 protesters gather in DC for #DayofResistance rally.

Large, peaceful crowd marches towards the Capitol building.

Large crowd. DC. #fergusonhttps://t.co/YIuPZfflrJ

— deray mckesson (@deray) December 13, 2014

Heading to the Capitol. #BlackLivesMatter#Justice4Allpic.twitter.com/A0SFZWkONX

— Jesse Lovell (@Dzhessi) December 13, 2014

The families of Mike Brown, fatally shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, and Eric Garner, killed by a policeman performing a banned chokehold, join the protest and take to the stage to speak to the crowd.

All of the families just arrived. DC. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/fvA6B76YY6

— deray mckesson (@deray) December 13, 2014

#Ferguson activists and #MikeBrown#EricGarner#TamirRice family members gather on the stage #DCMarch#Justice4Allpic.twitter.com/AnV2hbi0DO

— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) December 13, 2014

After some reported confusion, authorities have let young Ferguson activists address the crowd. The AP reports that over a dozen protesters from Ferguson took the stage with a bullhorn demanding to speak. Many supported the group and chanted "Let them speak."

Young Activists from #Ferguson take the stage in DC @Nettaaaaaaaa#DCMarch#justice4allpic.twitter.com/jxIxvNK6HK

— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) December 13, 2014

Finally @Nettaaaaaaaa is speaking!! Young ppl started this & should've been leading this from jump street. #MarchForJustice

— Christina Henderson (@Miss_CTINA) December 13, 2014

Protestors report not being allowed on stage to address the crowd.

The organizers will not let @Nettaaaaaaaa speak. Now people are chanting "all voices matter." Y'all. #Ferguson

— deray mckesson (@deray) December 13, 2014

"I want to hear from somebody not wearing a suit and tie!" #DCFerguson shouts about not letting #Ferguson protestors on stage.

— Flannery (@flandub) December 13, 2014

Some kind of disagreement about who is speaking on behalf of the families from Ferguson. Donnie McClurkin coming up now. #Justice4All

— Jesse Lovell (@Dzhessi) December 13, 2014

Donnie McClurkin, a gospel music singer and minister, leads the DC crowd in a prayer.

Now, Donnie McClurkin prays. DC. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/NAGuOJHTFF

— deray mckesson (@deray) December 13, 2014

ACLU members line up for the start of the DC march.

We are starting to line up for the #Justice4all March @ 13th and Penn #dc. Look for our big hands up sign. pic.twitter.com/nmtdvUN2PW

— ACLU National (@ACLU) December 13, 2014

#DCMarch#Justice4All#BlackLivesMatter National Rally in DC pic.twitter.com/0NhdAzrIXj

— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) December 13, 2014

People from around the country flock to DC to join the rally calling for police accountability.

#justice4all marcher comes all the way from Ohio #blacklivesmatterpic.twitter.com/zt8lWB4nN2

— ACLU National (@ACLU) December 13, 2014

President of the NAACP and one of the organizers of the DC march, Cornell William Brooks, called it "one of many demonstrations to show Congress, the country and the world that we will not stand down until [there is] systemic change, accountability and justice in cases of police misconduct."

Demonstrators begin to gather in D.C.

#DCFerguson now Freedom Plaza #Ferguson#ICantBreathe#EricGarner#ShutItDownpic.twitter.com/vyYbw38Vv5

— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) December 13, 2014

State Island in DC representing #EricGarner#DCFerguson now Freedom Plaza #Ferguson#ICantBreathe#ShutItDownpic.twitter.com/xmlwpyKeVD

— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) December 13, 2014

I've seen it all. There's a Hands Up 2015 Calendar. DC. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/nRDyvCuDKG

— deray mckesson (@deray) December 13, 2014

Rev. Al Sharpton will lead the Justice for All March in Washington DC The families of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, two unarmed black men killed by white officers, are expected to join the protest.

Protesters in New York gear up to march through the city.

Here's the route for today! #MillionsMarchNYC#Dec1314pic.twitter.com/4vTb96nmnf

— Millions March NYC (@MillionsMarch) December 13, 2014