When the George Floyd response erupted, a nation heaved as people rose up to make their voices heard. Chicago was no different. The pictures and video from the scene showed many of the same images featuring amorphous masses of humanity, but those masses are comprised of people: mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, activists, friends. The ongoing baiduhai series Faces of Change takes you into the crowd to meet some of them, and let you learn about why they take part.
Here are their stories.
Jayla Wheeler
When looting and rioting made its way to her neighborhood, she went out with her mother and sister to help clean up debris. The 18-year-old participated in a march in her neighborhood, and she’s signed numerous petitions in the name of social justice — wanting to do whatever she can for the cause, she said.
Sharonda Roberson
Sharonda Roberson admits to never having done any public speaking until her first peace rally. The rally, held June 7 in Aurora, centered on police reform.
Sydney Jackson
Sydney Jackson has already helped to organize one South Side Chicago march demanding police accountability, and her next project — “our big, big, big event,” she says — is Friday’s Chicago Peace and Equality Juneteenth Rally & Celebration 2020.
Brianna Hull
Since George Floyd’s death, Hull has attended three protests in the Chicagoland area — two suburban ones and another in the Loop. Despite her parents’ concerns about her safety, she went to the Loop protest not knowing what to expect.
Ferrai Pickett
Ferrai Pickett was working as a nanny for two white families in Ukrainian Village three years ago when a racist note showed up in the mailbox of Heather DeJonker, one of the moms.
Tatyana Chante
One day. This 23-year-old Chicagoan, formerly of Seattle and Atlanta, and who is still surprised by the reality of how segregated Chicago is, decided to organize a march in honor of George Floyd in one day. They learned a lot, including the responsibility that an organizer feels for the safety of everyone at an event.
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Lexie Pitter
She decided, after participating in Louder than a Bomb, that she wanted to use her voice as a poet to become an advocate for the voiceless. Since the George Floyd killing, the Chicago resident has adopted a “no sleep, seven days a week” motto.
Diego Garcia
When the news broke out about racial tension between Black and Latino communities, he quickly called upon fellow Latinos to speak out against the violence and unite. “Our neighborhoods won’t be better, for anyone, until the lives of black people are better,” Garcia said.
Eva Maria Lewis
Eva Maria Lewis is a college student and activist who is part of an organization called On the Ground Chi, a coalition of young black and brown organizers trying to provide resources during this fight for justice and liberation.
Ciara Sillman
College student Ciara Sillman finds hope in the way this protest movement has taken hold.
LaSaia Wade
As the executive director of the Hyde Park LGBTQ center Brave Space Alliance, LaSaia Wade has helped provide hundreds of bottles of water to protesters, as well as food, first aid and support.
D’Asia Hervey
She didn’t want to bring her baby to the protest. But when she did, she saw people filling the streets for his future. We talk to D’Asia about going to her first protest with her mom, and her 7-month-old son.
Shaka Rawls
Leo Catholic High School principal Shaka Rawls talks about a cleanup effort he’s arranging for his high schoolers, as well as the fears and emotions he’s balancing during the city’s unrest over George Floyd’s death.