LONG BEACH, California - On June 28, 2020, protestors gather and kneel as Black Lives Matter Los Angeles speaks about the BLM movement.
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.
PALMDALE, California - On June 20, 2020, sheriffs stand in confrontation with protesters 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. The tense standoff is a microcosm of the broader struggle, illustrating the complex dynamics between law enforcement and those advocating for transformative change.
VICTORVILLE, California - 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
PALMDALE, California - On June 20, 2020, individuals gathered at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station to advocate for a thorough examination into the reported suicide of Robert Fuller and to call for an end to police violence. The demonstrators joined voices to demand justice, accountability, and transparency, reflecting the nationwide movement against systemic racism and police brutality.
PALMDALE, California - On June 17, 2020, Daquan White participates in a Black Lives Matter protest at Poncitlán Square near Palmdale's city hall, where someone discovered Robert Fuller hanging from a tree. Despite the Palmdale Sheriff's Department ruling Fuller's death a suicide, family, and community members demand a thorough investigation and autopsy, suspecting foul play. The circumstances, such as non-working cameras at the park and nearby fire station, Fuller's presence in a police cruiser hours before, and his planned trip to Las Vegas, raise suspicions of murder, not suicide. Protesters continue to rally, demanding justice and transparency in the case.
LONG BEACH, California - On June 28, 2020, Pride and Black Lives Matter communities joined forces, marching in the streets of Long Beach. Young people piled onto the back of a Cadillac cruising alongside the protest, embodying both movements' energetic and unified spirit.
LOS ANGELES, California - On June 18, 2020, a member of the Mexican-American community leads a protest against the killing of Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old Salvadoran-American man fatally shot by Deputy Sheriff Miguel Vega near Gardena. Witnesses stated Guardado was shot five times in the back while running away, and the incident sparked public outcry, leading to calls for justice and an independent investigation. The protest, taking place on the 4th street bridge in Los Angeles, features the leader wearing a native headdress and an Aztec-style tattoo on his chest and stomach, symbolizing a stand against police brutality and a call for accountability within law enforcement.
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, Juneteenth, a significant day marking the celebration of Black independence in the United States, protesters gathered at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California. Following a march for Black Lives Matter, the event underscored a unified demand for equality, justice, and acknowledgment of Black history and culture.
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, Damita Goodall, 64, led a Black Lives Matter march in Lancaster, emphasizing the need for peace, respect, and harmony. Invoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, she expressed her wish to move "not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character... to move toward better care of the earth and to each other." A community leader, Goodall runs a community outreach program in the Southern Californian High Desert, handing out hundreds of meals and care packages to homeless individuals, including veterans suffering from mental impairment. Her activism highlights a multifaceted commitment to social justice and compassion.
PALMDALE, California - On June 17, 2020, a protestor, wishing to remain unidentified, held the police tape that separated the demonstrators from the Palmdale Sheriff's Department. The symbolic gesture took place during a protest, underscoring the tension and the call for justice and accountability from law enforcement in the wake of recent incidents.
PALMDALE, California - On June 17, 2020, a makeshift memorial forms around the tree where 24-year-old Robert Fuller was found hanging. Friends, family, and community members gather to honor his memory, leaving candles, bears, and posters adorned with photographs and heartfelt messages. The tragic discovery sparked demands for a thorough investigation, turning this unassuming tree into a symbol of the community's search for answers and justice. Amid a nationwide conversation on racial equality, Fuller's death echoes as a sad reminder of the ongoing struggle, and this memorial stands as a testament to the connections and compassion found even in times of profound loss.
LOS ANGELES, California - On the 4th Street Bridge, Mexican American protestors march, their voices united in a cry for justice for Andres Guardado and the many lives lost to police violence and racism. Guardado, an 18-year-old Latino man, was fatally shot in a controversial incident that still haunts the community and fuels the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. With determination, the demonstrators cross the bridge, a symbol of their unbroken resolve to fight against injustice and honor the memories of those whose lives were cut short. The photograph captures a moment in history, reflecting the collective anguish and hope of a community seeking answers and change.
LOS ANGELES, California - June 2020 - Against the backdrop of Downtown Los Angeles' skyline, a family gathers near the 4th Street Bridge, their flag creatively doubling as a shield from the sun. They pause for a portrait, symbolizing a side of the Black Lives Matter protests often overshadowed by media focus on isolated incidents of violence. In contrast to those narratives, the movement engaged millions in largely peaceful demonstrations, many attended by families with children. This moment captures the profound unity and familial solidarity that marked the historic wave of protests that swept across the U.S., advocating for social and political change [1].
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, a female city bus employee cheered on several hundred protestors marching on Juneteenth for a Black Lives Matter protest. Halted by the wave of demonstrators, her support became a symbol of solidarity in this small town, reflecting the broader national call for justice and equality.
Passersby in Lancaster, CA cheer on the protestors from their vehicle during the Juneteenth demonstrations on June 19, 2020.
PALMDALE, California - On June 17, 2020, the streets were alive with energy as protestors marched from City Hall, where Robert Fuller's body was found, to the Palmdale Sheriff's Office. Their voices united in a resounding call for justice and a formal inquiry into Fuller's death. The urgency of the marchers' demand was palpable, reflecting the broader community's need for answers and accountability. The march symbolized not just a response to a single tragedy but a powerful stand against systemic injustices that continue to affect communities nationwide.
PALMDALE, California - An angry group of demonstrators assembled at the entrance of the Palmdale Sheriff's Department on a mission to seek justice. They voiced powerful demands for a meticulous investigation into the death of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old Black man found hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall. Amidst the grief and anger, the crowd also called for vigilance and protection against KKK activities in the High Desert. In this area, racial tensions have ignited protests and cries for reform. Their presence serves as a tribute to lost life and a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and community safety[1,3].
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.
"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
LOS ANGELES, California - At the forefront of various Black Lives Matter protests, a van equipped with speakers and DJ equipment serves as a central platform for amplifying voices. Functioning more than just a vehicle, it transmits chants, speeches, and songs, echoing the calls for justice through the city streets.
LOS ANGELES, California - Near the 4th Street Bridge, a protester stands with poise and conviction during a Black Lives Matter demonstration on a date that will resonate in history.
PALMDALE, California - On the streets near Antelope Valley Mall, protestors took a determined stand, riding on the back of a pickup truck, chanting, and leading a march through a city that has been historically known for racial discrimination against people of color (POC). The energy and resolve captured in the image underscore a sense of urgency and a call to action. Amidst the storefronts and commercial landscape of Palmdale, these voices rise, challenging a troubled history and striving for a more inclusive and just future.
LONG BEACH, California - On June 28, 2020, members of the LGBTQ+ community united with others in Long Beach to march in support of Black Lives Matter. Demonstrating a powerful show of solidarity and intersectionality, they took to the streets to demand justice and equality. The march reflects a broader understanding of the interconnected struggles various marginalized communities face and a shared commitment to advocating for change.
LANCASTER, California - On June 19, 2020, Juneteenth, protestors gathered at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, California, during a passionate speech about Black Lives Matter goals in the Antelope Valley. As the speaker articulated visions of justice and equality, a candid photograph was taken, capturing the attentive faces of those present. The image symbolizes community commitment and the persistent drive for positive change in the region.
LOS ANGELES, California - Overlooking the 110 freeway that bisects the heart of Los Angeles, protestors assembled on an overpass, displaying signs and banners for the drivers below. As they advocated for justice and equality, honks of support resonated from the freeway, creating a symphony of solidarity.
LANCASTER, CA - Holding a flag blending the design of the American flag with the colors of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag and emblazoned with the words "We the People Means Everyone," a woman has her portrait made in Downtown Lancaster. Local leaders were meeting with community members in this neighboring town to Palmdale. Her flag symbolizes a unified call for inclusivity and equality across national and LGBTQ+ communities, resonating with the broader movement to address social justice and racial inequality in the area.
LOS ANGELES, California - Amid the towering skyscrapers of Los Angeles, a young white man takes a stand, holding a sign that reads "White Dorks for Decency." His presence at the protest represents a broader demographic that joined the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. With over 40 percent of U.S. counties, predominantly white-majority, participating in demonstrations, the campaign drew attention to the need for white allies to move beyond performative acts, confront privilege honestly, and prioritize real change. This young man's sign encapsulates the call for decency, equality, and a commitment to dismantling systems perpetuating injustice, reflecting a national desire for profound social and political transformation [1, 2].
LONG BEACH, California, June 28, 2020 - A memorial displaying photographs, names, candles, and other memorabilia erected to honor all the trans black individuals killed. This tribute served as a somber reminder of the ongoing struggles and violence faced by the trans-black community and emphasized the importance of recognition, empathy, and support for those lives lost.
PALMDALE, CA - On June 18, 2020, a group portrait made at the end of the meeting stands as a testament to the community's strength, resolve, and collective determination to seek answers and effect meaningful change.
