BOOM. BOOM. PING: A MOMENT AT THE 2020 WHITE HOUSE

Dozens of armed officers lined themselves shoulder to shoulder, facing us. Head-to-toe riot gear cloaked their bodies with only the flesh patches of eyelids to remind us they were human.

Metropolitan PD, Secret Service Agents, and Military Police joined in a grand show of strength. The sunset glimmered against the never-ending row of S.W.A.T shields fortifying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

We, the people, adorned ourselves with little more than denim and cotton. Apple cider vinegar-dipped scarves wrapped our faces, our bags

filled with first aid supplies, spare rags, and water bottles.

A rebellion of pained souls thundered the streets surrounding the White House.

“NO JUSTICE. NO PEACE!”

“FOR GEORGE FLOYD, MIKE BROWN,

SHUT THE WHOLE SYSTEM DOWN!”

“HOW DO YOU SPELL PO-LICE?

…K.K.K!!”

As our numbers grew, so did our volume. Teenagers, elders, mothers, fathers, and even small children congregated together. We could hear drum beats coming from behind us.

“TAKE IT TO THE STREETS, FUCK THE POLICE,

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!”

A gigantic BOOM overpowers our chanting.

“What was that?!” A voice shouts. “That sounded like a”

BOOM. Closer now.

A horde of terrified protestors ran toward our direction. The smell of smoke and chemicals drifts with them. A tiny “clink” drops in front of me.

Something that looks like a spray paint can is thrown before me. My heart drops as smoke starts to release from its contents. That’s no smoke bomb.

Hundreds of screaming bodies continue to rush past me.

“RUN!!! IT’S A FLASH GRENADE!! PROTECT YOUR EYES!!!!” I shouted with as much breath as possible - running to nowhere.

BOOM.

PING.

I hit the concrete.