Tuesday, June 2, Marin County locals gathered in Marin City to protest the death of George Floyd and to motivate and mobilize support for the racial justice movement sweeping across America. 

Driving on the 101 freeway headed South to San Francisco, the Marin City/Sausalito exit was packed by bumper to bumper traffic prior to the start of the protest. Protesters filled every car, tooting their horns in solidarity with those walking to the event. 

At the Gateway Shopping Center in Marin City, hundreds gathered awaiting the march to 105 Drake Avenue. The introductory meeting was short. It announced a couple of thank you’s to the crowd for showing up and then the planned route for the afternoon. 

As the leaders of the event began the march to Drake Avenue, Aminé’s “YeYe” blasted over the speakers, symbolizing the fighting spirit of the crowd. Although the walk was short, demonstrators made their voices heard with chants such as, “No justice, no peace!” and, “Black lives matter!”

The crowd eventually gathered at 105 Drake Avenue, an area including bland apartment buildings, which make up most of the city. In contrast, neighboring towns such as Sausalito and Mill Valley decorate their luscious hills with one to ten million dollar homes.

At Drake Avenue, the speeches began. Nearly a dozen speakers shared their stories, opinions, and advice for action. 

There was not a cloud in the sky. The sun was blazingly hot, yet the crowd didn’t seem to mind. They were distracted by the empowering black voices, praising their every statement. 

The Marin City locals spoke of the relevant racism and police brutality that has always plagued their city. They spoke of Marin’s segregation and how its lack of recognition has forced their community further into oppression. 

They spoke about the changes they need in their county. They demanded the ability to buy homes in Marin, the ability to receive bank grants to start their own businesses, better education for their children, and more. 

They spoke of what it’s like waking up black and what it means to be black. 

They spoke to their white supporters about how to be an ally: they should demand that their local representatives enforce change, that they keep showing up to protests and marches, and that they should keep passing the mic to people of color. 

Tucker Briggs, a Drake sophomore, attended the demonstration in Marin City yesterday. 

“Being the first black lives matter protest I had attended, seeing how this issue deeply affects so many people, so close to home, made me realize really how important it is to continue to be an ally and to help amplify the voices of the black community,” Briggs said. 

Drew Samway, also a Drake sophomore, touched on the subject of continuing the fight for racial equality, “It was empowering to see so many people of all different races come together to fight a problem in our society. Police brutality will not stop if we do not take a stand for what we know is right.”