ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER
Photojournal by Ted Soqui
This march took a bit of planning to photograph. It began in Hollywood and weaved its way through to West Hollywood. I knew it was going to be a large march. Hollywood Boulevard was painted with the words “All Black Lives Matter,” and I needed to shoot that. I talked to a manager of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which just re-opened, about giving me quick access to the penthouse roof. She was more than happy to help.
Next up was how to follow a five mile route and take photos. I walked the first half then rented an electric street scooter and was able to zoom around the giant mass of people to capture this historic event. I found a five-story parking lot on Santa Monica to use as a photo perch to capture the mass of people. The crowd stopped briefly and gave us a fist in the air for Black Power. What a moment. I was amazed how in sync the whole march was. Most marches I cover are just masses of people walking together. This one was way more engaged.
At the end of the march, different groups broke out. A metal band without a lead guitar played next to a dance group. Something for everybody today.
A boarded-up business on Hollywood Boulevard was painted by ABLM volunteers. I hope it gets saved for historic value.
Paul Scott, founder of LA Black LGBTQ Movement, with his freshly painted megaphone. He said that he didn’t like that it was all white, so he painted it in the Pan-African colors to lead the march.
I saw this woman standing in front of these power fists on Hollywood Boulevard. She stood there for a long time.
Luckie Alexander in front of a George Floyd mural. Luckie designed the "All Black Lives Matter" mural painted on Hollywood Boulevard for the march.
Carlisha Brown with the Pan-African flag standing in front of a street mural of George Floyd. She was there to support Black transgender lives. She told me to hashtag #TonyMcdade.
Vanessa Warri holding a Pan-African flag on Hollywood Boulevard. I liked her upside down Gucci mask.
Interpretive dancing on Hollywood Boulevard before the march. Amazing to see dance brought to a street march.
The "All Black Lives Matter" design painted on Hollywood Boulevard.
I shot this photo from the penthouse view at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Five Thousand dollars per night can get you a great view of Hollywood at the Roosevelt.
I liked the emotion behind the sign.
Hollywood Boulevard before the march.
Everyone took a knee together. It’s an incredible sight to see a whole march in sync.
No words needed for some signs.
Solidarity before the march.
Artists brought their own works and hung them along the march route.
"Say their name" was the chant of the march. Then it became, “Say their name, which one?”
Marchers walk past a giant mural of Jimi Hendrix painted on the Guitar Center. What music he would have made for the movements of today. Rainbow Haze?
The front of the march on Sunset Boulevard. Passenger cars driving in protest marches is the new thing.
As the march began to enter West Hollywood, the border of the two communities was apparent.
I climbed five flights of stairs with a mask on to get this angle from the Sprouts Farmers Market on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.
This is what social distancing at marches looks like now.
The view from the Sprouts parking structure on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Always amazed by cheerleaders and how they are in a great mood. This cheerleader didn’t let me down.
A dancer preparing to perform on Santa Monica Boulevard at the end of the march. She held that stare for what seemed like forever.