Banners Dropped for Marcus-David L. Peters, Murdered by Richmond Police

The following report and photos was anonymously submitted to It’s Going Down.

In 1800 after a failed insurrection led by enslaved Africans the city of Richmond instituted a City Guard to protect white citizens and control enslaved Africans.

On May 14th, 2018 that same City Guard, now known as the Richmond Police Department, murdered an unarmed black man, furthering that legacy of racist violence and showing us the clear links of chain that run from then up until this very day.

As Marcus-David Peters, a 24 year old high school teacher, lay dying from the two bullets that ripped through his body the sky in Richmond darkened and a fierce storm blew in. In the days that followed rain fell like tears for another life lost to the brutal state violence carried out by the police, a gang of cowards who fear what they don’t understand and can’t control.

The rain has subdued the city, leaving his family, his friends, and the city to grieve in sheltered spaces. But people must know that his name is a spark and when the rain subsides and that spark finds dry tinder this city will burn with the righteous fires inside all of those who demand a better world.

So carry that spark with you, be ready to ignite that flame. Here, on stolen land, in the heart of the former Confederacy, in this city of oppressors, look back to 1800 and find that spirit of rebellion. Demand Justice, and if they don’t give it to us, we’ll take it.

Rest in Power Marcus-David Peters.