Protests against police brutality and the killings of black and brown people have only swelled in size, scope, and impact since people began organizing last week. A real movement has begun on an issue that’s existed for centuries—after a white former Minneapolis Police Department officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, for over eight minutes, resulting in Floyd’s death on May 25. Since then, millions have assembled, both in real life and online; in U.S. cities, and worldwide, with citizens in Amsterdam and London voicing their support for Black Lives Matter and organizations like it. As these messages are being disseminated, rallying cries and chants at protests have become central expressions within the movement. At a recent protest in New York City this week, signs bore the themes associated with the unrest: “I can’t breathe,” (the final words of both Eric Garner—another black man killed by police officers—and Floyd,) “stop killing us,” “hands up, don’t shoot,” and “black lives matter,” were scrawled on pieces of cardboard and makeshift paper at the demonstration on Monday. Whatever the medium, the message is now eminently clear: systemic change must happen. Photographer Serichai Traipoom was on the ground for the protest, and documented some of the scene there.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 30th, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on May 31st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
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A protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City on June 1st, 2020. Photograph by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
