Last night we were once again brutalized by the NYPD. How many times will I write that sentence? Honestly, as many as I need to but each time it is just as important to tell the story of what happened.

The march for F12 was specifically targeted at the Strategic Response Group (SRG), who has been a key proponent of the brutality we have faced over the last nine months. Their continued instigation, provocation, & use of brutal physical force has been present since the beginning

of the protests. The lack of accountability for their brutality would be laughable if it wasn’t so truly egregious.

As the march was dispersing a known right wing photographer entered the space and hit a trans woman of color in the face.

Ppl immediately came together to get him away from her in which the NYPD seized the opportunity to move in on us. We all moved to the sidewalk & watched as more SRG units arrived, at first selectively grabbing protestors for arrest & then eventually charging us on the sidewalk.

As the LRAD played to order us to disperse, we looked around and recognized that we were kettled and could not disperse. It was not possible. This is their tactic every time. They play the LRAD to give them a “reason” to arrest and then don’t give us any way to get out.

We were charged down the sidewalk as we all scrambled backwards trying to hold tight to one another to get to safety. As we were rushing backwards NYPD donned riot helmets and batons and charged as hard as they could.

In a brief moment of pause one sergeant yelled, “they’re all under arrest, take them!” & they charged again. This time five officers grabbed me and threw me to the ground face down holding me on the ground until I had to scream, “I can’t breathe” over & over until they let up.

I could hear screams from others around me as the terror unfolded and multiple people, including two members of the press, were grabbed and arrested.

Full video here:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLPep4nF_C1/?igshid=slj0plsm3em1

What we can’t show you though is what happens in the cells when we are detained. I wish I could show you the chants we scream from our cells, the noise that we make, and the bonds that are formed.

We talk about our favorite foods and zodiac signs and keep each other’s energy and morale up. It is a bonding experience like no other, and although it is horrific why and how we got there we find hope and love in each other.

Walking out of the precinct at 5 am on the coldest night of the year to 30+ people who have been waiting for you to get out is a love I truly can’t describe.

The hugs, the “are you ok”’s, the “what do you need”’s the legal support, pizza, beer, and LOVE that is present is one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. I will remember those moments forever.

The reason we are there to begin with is horrible and cannot be lost. We have come into the streets to demand justice for Black lives. We have continued to show up because we know there is no justice and that we must make change.

We keep showing up for the fight only to continually be brutalized and illegally detained.

But the community makes it bearable. The community makes it possible to keep going. The community is now a family. A family whose foundation is love, justice, and solidarity.

At the beginning of the night a comrade gave me a beautiful stitch work they did that says “an army of lovers” and it just felt so fitting to get this on a night that was so brutal. Because we are an army of lovers.

The people in this community are so full of love, kindness, and selflessness. I’ve truly never experienced anything like it. We *are* an army of lovers. And an army of lovers will not fail.

Top two photos courtesy of @mwatsonnyc