Essential workers walked out of their workplaces to rally on ??? ??the streets in 25 cities across the U.S. as part of the Strike for Black Lives on Monday.
Demanding racial and economic justice for Black workers, employees and supporters hit the streets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other cities across the country. Some walked, some drove, all came demanding vital systemic change in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Organized by 60 labor unions, activist groups, and nonprofits, the Strike for Black Lives demanded higher wages, better jobs, and unions to help Black workers build economic power. The organizers listed their demands, one of which requires "corporations take immediate action to dismantle racism, white supremacy, and economic exploitation wherever it exists, including in our workplaces," according to the website. "This includes corporations raising wages, allowing workers to form unions, providing healthcare, sick leave and expanded healthcare coverage to people who are uninsured or have lost coverage as the result of losing their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, child care support and more, to disrupt the multigenerational cycle of poverty created by their anti-worker attacks."
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The organisers also called on elected officials and candidates to "use their executive, legislative, and regulatory authority to begin to rewrite the rules and reimagine our economy and democracy so that Black communities can thrive." This includes ensuring a fair and safe voting system, whether in-person or by mail, protecting the health and safety of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic with well-managed and designed workplaces and public spaces.
Other demands included centering communities of color in action on climate change, and for immigrant communities to stand in solidarity with Black workers to build power together.
Organisers also encouraged anyone unable to attend to hold a moment of silence, take a knee, or walk off the job for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time a police officer knelt on George Floyd's neck until he died.
Here are just a few glimpses of the protests across the U.S. from Monday.
Demonstrators protest in the Loop to show support for Black workers on July 20 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Scott Olson / Getty Images 
Fast food workers and supporters march during the national workers strike in the Loop in Chicago, IL on July 20. Credit: Max Herman / NurPhoto via Getty Images 
Fast food workers and supporters march during the national workers strike in the Loop in Chicago, IL on July 20. Credit: Max Herman / NurPhoto via Getty Images 
Demonstrators protest in front of Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York City on July 20. Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images 
Christina Akinsanya holds up a banner during a 'Strike for Black Lives' rally on July 20 in New York City. Credit: MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO / GETTY IMAGES 
Union workers hold up signs during a "Strike for Black Lives" rally on July 20 in New York City. The SEIU union held a socially distanced rally and press event demanding passage of the HEROES Act and calling out 121 days without essential pay. Credit: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images 
A woman gestures from the back of her vehicle as activists shut down a section of Crenshaw Boulevard on July 20 in Los Angeles, California during a Strike For Black Lives rally. Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images 
Activists protest in front of a McDonalds in Los Angeles, California, on July 20 during a Strike For Black Lives rally, which brought together labour unions, fast food restaurant workers, racial and social justice groups and a car caravan. Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images 
A man stands on the hood of his car as demonstrators drive into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport during the Strike For Black Lives rally on July 20 in St Paul, Minnesota. Demonstrators rallied to demand the increase of minimum wage for employees working for the airport. Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty Images Topics Activism Black Lives Matter Social Good