History Being Made

February 22 2021

It’s Black History Month, and each week we’ll be exploring a different facet of black history in and around Washington Square Park. For this final week we’re taking a visual journey through the history that was made in WSP this summer when New Yorkers flocked to the Park to protest racial injustice.

“The best thing is to see two different people, from two completely different backgrounds, who probably never would have met, having a conversation. I see someone walking, minding their own business, and they get drawn in. Next thing you know this guy in a suit is talking to a dude wearing street colors and they’re really listening to each other. For me, that interaction is what we want to see. That’s how things change. That’s how we get to a better future.” – Vidal, a BLM organizer who participated in many of this summer’s protests.

NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan kneels with a crowd of protesters at WSP, June 1, 2020. Courtesy of New York Post
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan kneels with a crowd at WSP protesting the death of George Floyd. June 1, 2020. Courtesy of Peter Gerber, New York Post.

Thousands of protesters flock to WSP to protest racial injustice, June 6, 2020. Courtesy of Kim Hastreiter
Thousands of New Yorkers flock to WSP to protest racial injustice. June 6, 2020. Courtesy of Kim Hastreiter, via Instagram.

Protesters march up 5th Avenue, through the Park and under the Arch, June 6, 2020.
Protesters spill onto 5th Avenue. June 6, 2020.

Peaceful protests continue in the Park, June 8, 2020.
Peaceful protests continue in the Park as New Yorkers call for justice. June 8, 2020.

Black Lives Matter protesters in the Park, June 16 2020. Courtesy of @nyc_protests on twitter
Black Lives Matter protesters in the Park. June 16 2020. Courtesy of @nyc_protests via twitter.

BLM organizer Vidal speaks at a rally in the Park. August 17, 2020. Courtesy of Marcos “Reggae” Smith.
The sounds of violins filled Washington Square Park to honor the memory of Elijah McClain. June 29, 2020.