19 Photos That Show What Ottawa's No Peace Until Justice March Was All About
So many people came out!
A picture says a thousand words. The No Peace Until Justice Ottawa march was full of people who came out in solidarity and to support an end to anti-black racism. These photos from the gathering truly show what the march was all about.
No Peace Until Justice Ottawa organized a peaceful solidarity march that moved through the capital city on June 5.
It all began at Parliament Hill before people marched to the Senate of Canada and then to the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights.
The crowd was addressed by speakers like Ketcia Peters, CEO of Roots and Culture Canada, and RJ McEwan, senior pastor at theREACHcentre.
At Parliament Hill, gatherers knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds in remembrance of George Floyd and all black lives.
That's how long a police officer had his knee on Floyd's neck before he died.
According to the CBC, about 4,000 people came out and gathered on the lawn at Parliament Hill around the Centennial Flame.
Some politicians, including the Prime Minister, came out to the gathering to stand and kneel with people.
Water, hand sanitizer and masks were given out at three stations along the route.
A day after the march, No Peace Until Justice Ottawa posted about the gathering on Instagram.
"We are grateful to our brothers, our sisters, our elders, our allies. Without you, yesterday wouldn't have been happening. Yesterday, we have empowered our voices," the organizers said.
Speaking Their Minds With Signs
Throughout the march, people proudly held up their homemade signs.
One had the message "Canada is not innocent" on it and showed a black persona and indigenous person hugging.
Others held up ones that said, "silence is violence", "colour is not a crime" and "I can't breathe."
Lots of black lives matter signs were spotted above the crowd as they marched.
People Gathering Together In Solidarity
After leaving Parliament Hill, gatherers flooded the streets of Ottawa as they marched through the city.
So many people were there that the crowd spanned across both sides of the road.
Support From Politicians
Justin Trudeau and other politicians like Families Minister Ahmed Hussen showed up at Parliament Hill during the gathering.
Some people chanted "stand up to Trump" and "go away" when the Prime Minister arrived.
Even though the march happened during a pandemic and there are limits on the number of people who can gather, Ottawa did not give out COVID-19 related tickets to people attending.