BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
The People’s Justice Festival, July 15, 2023
On a hot summer Saturday this past week, Black Lives Matter celebrated its tenth anniversary with a sprawling celebration in the Leimert Park Village, now called AfricaTown, in Central Los Angeles.
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
And does Black Lives Matter Grassroots know how to throw a party! With reportedly more than 5,000 people in attendance at the day’s peak, those gathered participated in 8 workshop spaces offering educational sessions and seminars, enjoyed live music and inspirational and empowering speakers on 2 stages, participated in community meet-ups and conversations and shopped at the many varied and unique food and vender booths. The day, as was envisioned, was a day of celebration of and recommitment to the movement.
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates It’s Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
According to the plans laid out by Black Lives Matter Grassroots co-founder Dr. Melina Abdullah, the festival was designed to include “a reunion of families, organizers, activists, artists, spiritualists, freedom fighters, and allies. It’s a reclamation of the soul of Black Lives Matter, a chance to build our skills and restore our Spirits.” The vision was fulfilled this past Saturday!
The Sparking of a Movement: Black Lives Matter
In the now more than a decade since 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was tragically shot and killed by a vigilante in South Florida, Trayvon’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, says the pain of his loss is with her every day, and her mothers tears are a constant part of her life.
Trayvon’s devastating death followed by the unimaginable acquittal handed down in the case against the vigilante George Zimmerman – who shot and killed the 17 year-old student as he was walking home from the local 7-Eleven store after purchasing Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea – became the catalyst for passionate protests in Florida that spread throughout the country, ultimately spawning what has become a global movement: Black Lives Matter.
Sybrina Fulton, in the over ten years now since the death of her son, is sometimes referred to as the “mother of the movement”. Sybrina showed her support for the movement and joined in the celebration in AfricaTown last weekend – and Journalist James Farr spoke to her during the festivities:
The Conversation Live’s James Farr Interviews Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s Mom, 7.15.23 Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
Sybrina Fulton
“…LA owes me nothing!! Black Lives Matter was created because of the unfavorable verdict pertaining to Trayvon Martin ~ Well, BLM turned 10 years old & I was there.”
~ Sybrina Fulton via Twitter
Broadcasting LIVE all day, in addition to KBLA, was Pasadena’s own Conversation Live with James Farr. In fact, Conversation Live had a whole team with them on hand to be sure the interviews ran smoothly and everyone had access to the event, even if remotely!
The Conversation Live Crew | BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary!
Party Community Merchants
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
There were so many delicious looking sweet (and the bbq smelled amazing too!) temptations all around – we did succumb to a delicious Italian icy from “La Sorbet” pictured below – perfect way to combat the heat of the day!
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates It’s Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
Loads of gear available for purchase as well…
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
And some of the Leimert Park brick & mortar shops added mobile-carts too! WE couldn’t help but love the name of this one! “Honey Queen”!! Check them out in person in Leimert Park or online at: HoneyQweenLemonade.com…
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
There were stands selling natural oils and remedies, and stands like this one with goods handmade & imported all the way from countries in Africa – awesome!
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
Organization, Community Educational Sessions & Art Abounded
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
Official organizers were friendly and helpful, and we did notice the presence of 3 important summer fest “must-have’s” – lots of water available, portable toilets and a cooling-off tent! There was also some seating provided in the stage area too, which was great for folks to take advantage of. The ongoing sessions were well-attended as well!
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
This local artist Mubarak Art was showing his wares – fabulous oversized art and portraits of important social and cultural he/sheroes.
Mubarak Art can be found at MubarakArt.com | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary! Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
Speakers of Note!
Fight the Powers that Be – Public Enemy’s Chuck D
After recording all night and a scant two-hour sleep time, the six-time Grammy nominated rapper Chuck D made the trip down to the festivities to encourage and bless those gathered – and appropriately was introduced with Public Enemy‘s anthem “Fight the Power” announcing his presence!
Dr. Cornel West, Keynote Speaker
And of course, philosophy professor, historian, political activist and 2023 candidate for the Presidency of the United States, the matchless Dr. Cornel West showed up, bringing the love and the funkafied hope!
Survivors Family Garden
A gathering of families took place earlier in the day, leaving the garden quiet for reflection for the duration of the festival…
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
For more on the important supportive work that Black Lives Matter does with families of those violently taken by police, white supremacy, and gun violence, don’t miss the reporting done by the L.A. Progressive on the massacre that took place in Buffalo in May of 2022.
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
A tender reminder of the unfortunate reason we gathered – while celebrating the victories that have definitely taken place, we continue to look for strength, companionship, hope, and above all CHANGE – among the suffering of true hardship and loss.
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
#morethanahashtag – Pasadena‘s Anthony McClain…
BLACK LIVES MATTER | The People’s Justice Festival – BLM Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary – Photo Credit: Georgia Sanders
And we leave you with something that Dr. Melina Abdullah is clear to remind us;
~ “This is a movement, not a moment.” ~
