Alton Sterling (left) and Philando Castile (right).
The tragic killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black men, by police have shaken the country yet again. While pinned to the ground without any weapon in hand, Sterling was shot six times by Baton Rouge, Louisiana police on Tuesday. The following day in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Castile was shot four times at point-blank range during a traffic stop as he complied with an officer’s command to take out his driver’s license. His fiancé live-streamed the aftermath on Facebook, while her 4-year-old daughter watched in the back seat.
Over the past few days, protests have erupted in the cities where these men were killed as well as others throughout the country. While these rallies are certainly for the two men that lost their lives this week, they’re also the next installment of the Black Lives Matter movement and its organization around the deaths of black people in killings by police.
Depicting anger, sadness, fear, strength and resilience, the images captured at these rallies are powerful. Here are 21 of them.
Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Protesters dance in the street near the convenience store where Alton Sterling was shot and killed. Sandra Sterling (right), Alton Sterling’s aunt, visits his memorial at the store where he was killed. Protesters block traffic and dance on cars near the Triple S Food Mart where Alton Sterling was shot and killed. Pastor Johnny Young blesses Kaleigh Yates, a first cousin of Alton Sterling, outside the the convenience store where he was shot and killed. Protesters block the intersection during the third night of protest for Alton Sterling.
Washington D.C.
Protestors rally outside the White House. Demonstrators lock arms as they march from The White House to Capitol Hill. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) speaks to a group of demonstrators outside of The Capitol Building. Demonstrators hold hands as they march from The White House to Capitol Hill.
Falcon Heights & St.
Paul, Minnesota
Protestors lie in an intersection during a demonstration for Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota. Protestors gather at the intersection where Philando Castile was shot and killed. Activists and community members protest the killing of Philando Castile outside the Governor’s Mansion in St. Paul, Minnesota. Protestors march through the streets during a demonstration for Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota.
New York City
Activists hold signs in Times Square as they protest the recent fatal shootings of two black men by police. Activists have their hands up in front of The Metropolitan Museum of Art as they march up 5th Ave. Activists protest in Times Square in response to the recent fatal shootings of two black men by police. Activists protest in Times Square.
Dallas, Texas
A man lays on the ground after yelling “Don’t shoot me” at police during a rally in Dallas, Texas. Protestors hold signs in Dallas, Texas. A man holds a bat reading “Black Power” during a protest in Dallas, Texas. People rally in Dallas, Texas protest the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
