On Sunday, student leaders in the Lycée Français de New York’s Black Student Union led a peaceful protest march against racial injustice and violence for their fellow students in ninth to 12th grade, along with faculty, staff and parents. Over 100 people took part in the march, which began at the Lycée at 11am and took the crowd north along the FDR Drive to Carl Schurz Park, where they staged a sit in, before turning back down York Avenue. The marchers heard student speeches and were called to kneel on one knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time George Floyd was held to the ground by police as he died.
Seniors Aminata and Tiwani, who organized the activities for today, were inspired by the protests going on around them and wanted to invite the community to experience the moment peacefully. Here are photos from the march and speeches from the student speakers:
Dear All,
Thank you for coming here today showing solidarity with not only the black Lycée community, but the black community across the nation. Like many of you, we are sickened and traumatized by the recent events that have happened to black people in this country. Specifically, the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. However, we must remember these are three names out of many.
Everyday, black people are discriminated against because of their skin color. This has been happening since the first black person was brought against their will into this country. From slavery, to Jim Crow, to present day racial police brutality, black people have had to fear their lives because of the social construct of race. We are here today because Black Lives Matter. This is not a black versus white issue. This is everybody versus racism. We must remember that racism never left and it just took new forms. As the years pass by, we see that race has become a sensitive topic, and has contributed to growing animosity in the United States. However, we cannot let this be a sensitive topic. This is a human rights discussion. We need to educate ourselves, and grow comfortable speaking about race and calling out racism. Remember, the hardest conversations are always the most important ones. Like Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “there comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.” Being silent or neutral in situations like these will only fuel the fire. We need to let the world hear our voice, hear our pain, and hear our sadness.
Now we know, 2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us. However, it is events like these that make us stronger. Look around, all of us gathered here today to protest for an amazing cause. Teachers, families, students, working as a community, to stand up for what is right. So, think of it this way. 2020 isn’t the end of the world, it is the start of a new one. A world where we will not be judged by the color of our skin, but the content of our character. A world where we deconstruct institutionalized racism. A world where black people can walk near police, or down the street, and NOT fear for their lives.
So, to my fellow T’20queurs (classmates in the Class of 2020) and other students, we are the future. In 30 years, we are the ones that are going to be voted into office, voted to make decisions for our people. At some point in time, it is going to be our generation that will be the leaders of this world. We need to start our activism early, learn about these issues now, and spread awareness.
Standing up for what is right and being an ally is a lifelong commitment. If there is one thing we want you to take away from this event, it’s to never sit back and expect things to be done when you see injustices happen. Take the initiative to help a cause you believe in. From Black Lives Matter to climate justice, we need to take action to fix what is broken. Thank you.
Aminata, T’20 (senior)
Tiwani, T’20 (senior)
“Don’t shoot!”
“I can’t breathe!”
This is what is going on in the U.S. These murdered people should still be alive! You probably think that I’m just talking about anybody, no! The
se people have something in common, they’re black! Because of their melanin they are a threat, a criminal, a gangster. Why is my skin a threat? Why because of my skin am I considered a gang member, a criminal, Why are you afraid of me? I live in Queens, in a normal house with a family, i do normal things: like watching tv, making TikToks, and having fun. Today is my 13th birthday, and I came here not just to support my black community, but to get a point straight, we are not a threat! We are different, just like all of you are! And we should be accepted even though we’re different. We can beat this corrupt system, we must fight for what’s right, and I hope that you will continue fighting and that this will not be your last march, because we still have a long way to go!
Emily, T’25 (7th-grade student)
Further the conversation:
Friday, June 12 at 3pm
Understanding Systemic Racism
Webinar sponsored by the Lycée’s Cultural Center
Created in collaboration with our students and moderated by journalist and Lycée parent Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, this panel brings together exceptional guests – journalists, professionals, educators and teachers, who will help us identify what we can do to fight racism.
About the Author :
Elisabeth King joined the Lycée team in November 2011 as the school’s first director of communications. A francophile at heart, Elisabeth spent her junior year of college in Paris, and held her first job at the French Trade Office here in New York. She brings to the Lycée over 15 years of experience in media and communications in non-profits, government, news and business. She was previously executive vice president and director of strategy at ABI, Inc., a boutique public relations agency, and she worked as associate editor on two books co-authored by Todd Brewster and the late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.