Protesters Are Turning White House Fence Into a Living Memorial Wall

A woman looks at a newly erected fence around the White House that was decorated by protesters with signs a day after tens of thousands marched in Washington. More images from the nation’s capital: https://t.co/uMMNuv7Ru7 📷 @Lucas_Jackson_ pic.twitter.com/sB2yw5OKX5

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) June 7, 2020

The area surrounding the White House is more fortified than usual. As protests over the killing of George Floyd—as well as against rampant police brutality—have continued across the world, President Trump’s administration has barricaded itself with temporary metal fencing. Nearly two miles of tall mesh barriers surround the “White House complex,” an act that has been met by criticism from not only everyday citizens but from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Keep in mind that’s the people’s house,” she said in a recent news conference. “It’s a sad commentary that the (White) House and its inhabitants have to be walled off.”

While the fencing keeps people a large distance away, that doesn’t mean their voices aren’t heard. The enclosure has itself become a space where folks can express themselves with words and artwork. Protestors have placed signs on this living memorial wall to commemorate the Black men and women who have lost their lives because of confrontations with the police. There are other messages, too, overwhelmingly denouncing systemic racism and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

As the signs continue to multiply, it proves a powerful way to reclaim a space meant to keep people out. No matter how hard the Trump administration tries, they can’t drown out the voices calling for justice and a more equitable world. Scroll down to see this ever-growing memorial wall.

The Trump administration installed nearly two miles of tall metal fencing around the White House.

People are covering it with signs commemorating the Black men and women who have lost their lives to police confrontations.

There are other messages that denounce systemic racism and support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fence near White House. #dcprotest #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/5mYMGNTgGy

— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) June 7, 2020

The temporary fence around the White House & Lafayette Square has turned into a memorial as well as a place for people to leave their protest signs. #DCProtests pic.twitter.com/kKce4yFwzI

— Caroline Winslow (@CarolineWinslow) June 7, 2020

Not too sure this is what President Trump thought when he ordered a fence erected outside the White House. It’s been converted by the #BlackLivesMatter protests into a crowd-sourced memorial wall to those who lost their lives during police confrontations. pic.twitter.com/LwF12wMbgQ

— Michael Gravesande (@OldBlackHack) June 7, 2020

The fence outside the White House has been converted to a crowd-sourced memorial wall — almost like an art gallery — to black men and women who lost their lives at the hands of police.

Hundreds are strolling, looking, adding names and paintings and posters. pic.twitter.com/mXlZpfMAeX

— Hannah Natanson (@hannah_natanson) June 7, 2020

h/t: [DCist]

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