Welcome to "Say Their Names," a powerful photographic exhibition that brings to light the resilience and strength of the Black Lives Matter movement in Southern California in 2020. As an artist and an Armenian-American, I have always been aware of the importance of representation and how powerful it can be. As a first-generation American, I have a unique perspective on the American experience. It has been a privilege to use my art to document and share the important moments of the BLM movement.
The BLM movement began as a response to the continued systemic racism and police brutality that Black communities have faced. The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis was a turning point, and it ignited renewed energy and determination to demand change. As an artist, I have been photographing the BLM movement since the death of George Floyd. I was honored to capture the raw emotions and experiences of those at the forefront of this movement, fighting for justice and equality.
In honor of George Floyd and to gain a deeper understanding of his experience, protestors were requested to lie on the ground for 7 minutes and 46 seconds.
At Bixby Park in Long Beach, CA, a spokesperson from Black Lives Matter Los Angeles addresses the gathering crowd.
06/20/2020 - Sheriffs stand in confrontation with protestors at the Palmdale, California Sheriff's Station. Demonstrators call for a comprehensive investigation into the reported suicide of Robert Fuller and demand an end to police brutality and systemic racism.
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, Sheriff's Department helicopters observe as Ayind
e Love leads protestors in a Juneteenth march past the law offices of R. Rex Parris, the mayor of Lancaster. The march aims to raise awareness about the importance of voting in local elections as a means to bring change to the Antelope Valley.
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, Daquan White (left) and DB (right) pose for a portrait before joining protestors in
a march down 10th Street West. The group gathers at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park to celebrate Juneteenth and demand an end to police brutality.
06/20/2020 - T. Doucet, center, asks "Is he next? Is he next?" as she points to her children during a standoff at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station. Protestors gathered at the station to demand a thorough investigation into the alleged suicide of Robert Fuller and the death of Robert's brother Terron Jamaal Boone, who was shot and killed by Sheriff's after being pulled over by an unmarked car. Additionally, protestors call for an end to police brutality and systemic racism.
On 06/20/2020, individuals gathered at the Palmdale Sheriff's station in California to advocate for a thorough examination into the reported suicide of Robert Fuller and to call for an end to police violence.
June 28, 2020 - The communities of Pride and Black Lives Matter came together and marched in the streets of Long Beach, California.
A man was seen waving the Mexican flag while climbing a street light outside Los Angeles City Hall during a Black Lives Matter protest on July 12, 2020.
June 28, 2020 - The communities of Pride and Black Lives Matter united and took to the streets of Long Beach, California for a march, advocating for equality and justice.
June 28, 2020 - The communities of Pride and Black Lives Matter united and took to the streets of Long Beach, California for a march.
A member of the Mexican-American community leads a protest against the killing of Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old Salvadoran-American man who was shot in the back by a Deputy Sheriff from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, on the 4th street bridge in Los Angeles. He wears a native headdress and an Aztec style tattoo on his chest and stomach.
June 28, 2020 - The communities of Pride and Black Lives Matter united and took to the streets of Long Beach, California for a march.
June 27, 2020 - Angelique, a 24-year-old woman, protested for Black Lives Matter at the entrance of the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale, California. When asked why she was out protesting, she replied, "America has changed a lot, but not racism." Later that summer, while protesting, Angelique was intentionally hit by a truck and suffered severe head injuries. Despite this, she made a full recovery and ended up dating the man who came to her rescue.
At a protest in Palmdale, California, a demonstrator holds a sign with a drawing of a KKK member in a gown reminiscent of the famous Marilyn Monroe photograph but with a police officer hidden underneath. The poster was seen in the wake of the suspicious death of Robert Fuller and the announcement of a planned KKK rally, both of which sparked outrage and calls for justice.
June 18, 2020 - Ayinde Love addressed a gathering of protestors and community members.
June 19, 2020 - On Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, Kimberly Calderone, a 40-year-old Illinois native, held a USA/PRIDE flag and protested for Black Lives at the Sgt Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California. "The 'American Dream' is something that's not afforded to us all; it's a fairy tale. I was in debt when I was 18 to go to school," she said.
6/20/2020 - A woman stands under the tree where on May 31, 2020, at about 7 am, the Victorville City Fire Department was dispatched to the Victorville City Library at 15011 Circle Drive where they discovered 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch deceased.
The family reached out to Victor Valley News with the following statement, “Our brother Malcolm Harsch died on May 31st. His cause of death has not been released to the family yet but we are concerned that his death will be labeled as a suicide, as this is what was communicated to us upon confirmation of his death on the morning of June 1st."
“Amidst the current racial tension and following the protesting the night prior to his body being discovered we were truly troubled to learn of his passing particularly of how his body was discovered. He is an African-American man whose body was found hanging from a tree! The deputy who called to confirm his death asked questions about drug or alcohol use, he made a statement about how the coronavirus has 'hit people really hard' and said that a USB cord was used to hang himself."
“As most of us are in Ohio, we weren’t able to physically go to the location where he was found dead but did speak to a few people who were around at the time of the discovery. We were told that his 6 foot 3 inches long body wasn’t even dangling from the tree. There was blood on his shirt but there didn’t appear to be any physical implications at the scene to suggest that there was a struggle or any visible open wounds at that time. His body sat at the San Bernardino County Coroner for 12 days before an autopsy was performed. We understand that Victorville is a small city and have been reminded regularly that San Bernardino is very busy (as if we aren’t patient enough for necessary answers) but feel that our brother’s death will be waived off as a suicide to avoid any further media attention. Malcolm had very recent conversations with his children about seeing them soon. He didn’t seem to be depressed to anyone who truly knew him. EVERYONE who knew our brother was shocked to hear that he allegedly hung himself and don’t believe it to be true as well as the people who were there when his body was discovered. The explanation of suicide does not seem plausible. There are many ways to die but considering the current racial tension, a black man hanging himself from a tree definitely doesn’t sit well with us right now. We want justice not comfortable excuses.” - Saturday, June 13
A father plays basketball with his daughter on Juneteenth at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California on June 19, 2020.
On June 19, 2020, a father and daughter play basketball at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California in observance of Juneteenth.
6/19/2020 - On Juneteenth, protesters gather at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California, following a march for Black Lives Matter. The event marked the celebration of Black independence.
6/19/2020 - On Juneteenth, protestors gather in Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California following a march to celebrate Black independence and support the Black Lives Matter movement.
6/19/2020 - Alex (last name withheld), 26, from Central Los Angeles holds a sign depicting a police officer wearing a KKK robe, styled after the famous Marilyn Monroe photograph, as he poses for a portrait at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California, during a Black Lives Matter protest and Juneteenth celebration.
On May 31, 2020, at about 7 am, the Victorville City Fire Department was dispatched to the Victorville City Library at 15011 Circle Drive where they discovered 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch deceased nearby.
6/17/2020 - A protestor wishing to remain unidentified holds the police tape that separated the protestors from the Palmdale Sheriff's Department.
6/17/2020 - California City resident DB and his family pose for a portrait in front of the tree where Robert Fuller was found. Holding his newborn child, DB explains that he was protesting for the future of his child.
6/17/2020 - A makeshift memorial in remembrance for Robert Fuller in Palmdale, California.
The man spent several moments kneeling near the tree where Robert Fuller was found.
4th street bridge, Los Angeles, CA
Palmdale, CA
Antelope Valley Mall, Palmdale, CA
Juneteenth, Lancaster, CA
While waiting to participate in a Black Lives Matter protest near the 4th street bridge in Los Angeles, CA, a family uses their flag as a shield from the sun.
On June 19, 2020, Ayinde Love, a respected community leader, led a group of demonstrators through the streets of Lancaster, California, during a Juneteenth Black Lives Matter protest. As they marched past the law offices of R. Rex Parris, the mayor of Lancaster, Love spoke about the importance of taking action at a local level to effect real chang
e in the Antelope Valley. "We need to vote in local elections to make sure our voices are heard," Love emphasized. "It's time to bring about real change in our community.
Demonstrators occupy 10th Street West in Lancaster, California.
Passersby in Lancaster, CA cheer on the protestors from their vehicle during the Juneteenth demonstrations on June 19, 2020.
Palmdale Sheriff's Department
Demonstrators convened in the park for speeches and a Juneteenth celebration after the march.
As protestors march through Downtown Los Angeles, supporters show solidarity by opening windows and displaying signs of support.
Long Beach, CA
The energy of the crowd in Palmdale, CA.
Several people organize memorabilia, notes, and pictures of Robert Fuller at the gazebo in Palmdale City Hall, California. A young black man, Fuller, was found hanging from a tree in a public park near City Hall under suspicious circumstances. His death has initially ruled suicide without proper investigation or autopsy.
Robert Fuller Memorial
A protester poses for a portrait near the 4th street bridge in Los Angeles during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
"When predominately white insurgents stormed the US Capitol with nooses, Confederate flags, and other symbols of white supremacy, they faced virtually no opposition, experienced fewer than 60 arrests, and had the full-throated support of their President. Public outrage surged on progressive social media. ‘Imagine if they had been Black!’ pundits emailed, texted, posted, and tweeted, pointing yet again to the racialized double standard of policing and punishment in this country. But we need not imagine—we have a point of comparison. On June 1, 2020, nearly 6,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard helicopters were mobilized to descend on Washington, DC in response to a largely peaceful Black Lives Matter protest that never came close to the seats of Federal government. Over 300 people were arrested that night—a small percentage of the protesters jailed, beaten, or tear-gassed during 2020’s long, hot summer of protest."
Sara Clarke Kaplan, Executive Director,
Antiracist Research and Policy CenterAssociate Professor of Literature and Critical Race, Gender & Culture Studies
The van equipped with speakers and DJ equipment takes the lead and amplifies the voices of people speaking during various BLM protests.
Antelope Valley Mall, Palmdale, CA
Demonstrators have gathered at the entrance of the Palmdale, CA Sheriff's Department, calling for a thorough investigation into the death of Robert Fuller and for the protection of the community against the KKK activities in the High Desert.
110 Los Angeles, CA
Lancaster, CA
City Hall, Palmdale, CA