WASHINGTON — On Saturday, protesters marched across Downtown D.C. for the sixth weekend in a row as the President’s 4th of July celebration got ready to kick off.
Protests have taken place across the region for more than a month as demonstrators continue to push for justice and protest racial injustice and police brutality following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
One organizer said he chose to plan a George Floyd memorial march because he said he couldn’t sit back and watch injustices unfold on the news anymore. He said he strategically planned Saturday’s march on the 4th of July.
"Since our forefathers used this day to declare independence from their oppressors, we should use this day to declare justice from our oppressors,” Mason Frey said.
More than a hundred peaceful protesters marched alongside Frey on Saturday morning.
One of those demonstrators, Tierra Cooke, said people need to continue to demand justice even if it is a holiday. She also said she doesn’t believe the 4th of July holiday represents everyone.
“Independence Day does not truly represent African Americans because after the war African Americans were still in slavery,” Cooke said. “For us to sit here and continue to protest and fight for our rights and demand justice on this holiday that is not really for us, is just us letting them know we’re not going anywhere and we’re not going to stop until we get justice.”
Despite the hot temperatures on Saturday, the For The People Coalition gathered near the Washington Monument for a special gathering honoring the Pan-African flag.
The flag, which was first adopted in 1920, has become a common sight at protests and served as a sense of pride for some close to the rallies.
During the gathering, groups of people created a large version of the flag on the lawn using red, black, and green banners.
Nearby, organizer Marah O'Neal waved her own Pan-African flag to celebrate her culture.
"Waving this flag is beautiful. It makes me proud," she said. "Today, we’re out here making a statement for our people and our ancestors that we matter and that we’re raising our flag. There’s no disrespect to America.”
Following the weeks of protests around the district and nation, O'Neal told WUSA that the gathering for the flag helped show the power of a movement for change.
"If you stand for America then you stand for freedom. That’s what we’re fighting for," she said. "We came out here to make a statement. We want America to hear us and what better day to come than a day of freedom for America.”
Later on in the afternoon, Vets for Black Lives Matter marched down to Black Lives Matter Plaza to raise awareness about issues like the militarization of police.
Hazel Diaz, a Marine, told WUSA9 that she traveled down from Pennsylvania to be a part of the event.
"We’re calling for the veteran community to stand up for Black lives," she said. "Black lives include veterans. If you support the troops, you support Black lives matter.”
Several other protesters were planned in the District on the Independence Day holiday.
An eight hour sit-in was also held outside of the Supreme Court in honor of Breonna Taylor and other Black women who have been victims of violence.