On Nov. 20, Akai Gurley was shot and killed by NYPD officer Peter Liang in East New York, Brooklyn. Just over two weeks later, family, friends and community members gathered together for his funeral on a cold, rainy Saturday morning.
A women-led speak-out and rally had been called for 3 p.m. later that afternoon by members of WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend ) and ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition to address the rampant murders as a result of police brutality.
Activists from various organizations, such as the Black Autonomy Federation and Existence Is Resistance, as well as community members from the Pink Houses and families victimized by police terror assembled in front of the building where Akai Gurley had been murdered.
ANSWER organizer Kerbie introduced the speak-out as a space for women’s voices to be heard. She emphasized that women are often silenced and forgotten throughout revolutionary struggle, masking the trauma experienced from the unjust murders of their loved ones. Kerbie highlighted the fact that the justice system not only fails Black and Brown men disproportionately; it also affects women of color. Marissa Alexander faced three consecutive 20-year sentences for three separate counts before she took a plea deal. The same Stand Your Ground law in Florida that let murderer George Zimmerman walk free failed to apply to Alexander’s case.
Mass incarceration activist Ms. V echoed the resilience of Black struggle: “We are tired of modern-day slavery. We will not put up with your mass incarceration. We are done with your broken window policing. And it stops today!”
The struggle for justice extended beyond U.S. borders as Existence Is Resistance founder Harrabic spoke on the solidarity that the people of Palestine display from flooding social media with support messages to Tweeting advice on tear-gas safety. She stressed the similarities between the war on Palestine and the war in the U.S. as the crowd chanted, “Free, Free Palestine!”
With the powerful speeches still fresh, women began to lead the rally as the rain continued to pour. “We are all Akai Gurley!” and “No Justice, No Peace!” were chanted collectively as the protesters marched militantly around the housing complex. As the march reassembled by the entrance of the Pink Houses, it was made clear that the fight was not over. The closing remarks reminded everyone that every 28 hours, a police officer, security guard or vigilante kills a Black child, woman or man.
The action highlighted the importance of connecting struggles and internationalism in addition to becoming educated and organized. The voices of the strong women that spoke out that night will continue to resonate, building the movement by shedding light on the struggle that had been silenced for too long.
