Protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, tens of thousands of San Franciscans have joined demonstrators across the US in demanding an end to racist policies and a toxic police culture that disproportionately harms Black Americans. The protests in San Francisco have largely remained peaceful, even as they have escalated in other parts of the Bay Area.
To chants of “Hands up, don’t shoot!” and “No justice, no peace,” protesters have gathered day after day in places as diverse as City Hall, Mission High School and the Great Highway, marching countless miles across the city. People of all ages, races and abilities have participated, from children as young as five years old to a woman who told her friend, “I can’t believe I still have to protest this shit in my sixties.”
Hundreds of people also donated masks, water bottles, snacks and first-aid supplies to protesters, and groups of volunteers passed them out as needed. “Look how our community has come together,” one organizer said as she watched volunteers load supplies into a truck. “This is why we don’t need cops.”
Outside San Francisco County Jail. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Marching down Castro Street. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Police pointed tear gas guns at peaceful demonstrators with their hands up. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Protesters chanted “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
A protester confronted a police officer, but interactions remained largely peaceful. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Honoring George Floyd outside Mission High School. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Speakers told of their own experiences with police violence before the crowd of demonstrators outside San Francisco City Hall. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Xitlalli, a danza azteca dance group, performed during the protest outside Mission High School. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
A flag bearing the names of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, all of whom were killed in acts of racist violence this year. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Police officers threatened to disperse the crowd with tear gas, but did not. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Emotions ran high as protesters gathered in front of police officers. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Many protesters wore masks and gloves to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Police approach a demonstrator who they said entered a “restricted area.” No such boundaries were announced. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
A demonstrator tried to engage California Highway Patrol officers in a conversation. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Even people not participating in the protest showed solidarity with the demonstrators. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
SFPD officers wore riot gear as they followed a march down Market Street. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
A protester spoke with a CHP officer. Photo by Gabe Castro-Root
Gabe Castro-Root is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Tiger. He is a senior at LWHS and was Photo Editor as a junior, his first year on the staff. You can often find him running or photographing the night sky.
Gabe Castro-Root is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Tiger. He is a senior at LWHS and was Photo Editor as a junior, his first year on the staff. You can often find him running or photographing the night sky.
Gabe Castro-Root is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Paper Tiger. He is a senior at LWHS and was Photo Editor as a junior, his first year on the staff. You can often find him running or photographing the night sky.
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