Black Resistance: Let Us Live

A demonstrator stands proudly holding a sign with bold, colorful letters spelling out 'let us live,' during a protest against police brutality and violence in Austin, Texas, on May 31, 2020. When I captured this image, there was already heightened concern in Austin surrounding the death of unarmed Michael Ramos, 42, who was fatally shot by Austin police officer Christopher Taylor on April 24, 2020. The brutal death of George Floyd in Minneapolis fueled frustrations in Austin, and protesters took to the streets seeking justice for both Floyd and Ramos. No words can describe my journey documenting protests against police brutality and violence in the same city where a police officer killed my father. I would often put my camera down to just be present among the demonstrations, and at times, I would feel overwhelmed with sadness and anger. Regardless of the multitude of emotions I experienced, my camera and I had to be there to capture the movement. Read my father’s story: https://www.vox.com/first-person/2020/8/14/21362387/police-brutality-black-lives-matter-protests-george-floyd?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaevkmVIOQoxtnqkjSvHPR1SDjuoxsKzb6hem5RVSVmpoBLPZlMxaOYLopl4VA_aem_5vJ7csvq3uWoXxDGJvnjLA