Peaceful Protest Comes to Georgetown (photos)
By • June 4, 2020 0 3113
A peaceful protest honoring the memory of George Floyd and others, as well as renouncing police brutality and systemic racism, came to Georgetown at dusk on June 3.
After the weekend nights of looting that devastated Georgetown businesses large and small, and left almost the entire town boarded up, about 300 marchers walked from downtown along M Street to Wisconsin Avenue. They were escorted by the Metropolitan Police Department. Some also stopped at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street in front of Martin’s Tavern. As residents and slightly startled diners looked on, protesters sat on the street and continued with chants of “Black Lives Matter” and “This is what democracy looks like.”
From there, marchers proceeded to the campus of Georgetown University, then looped back to 34th Street, moving toward downtown along M Street. Meanwhile, neighbors gave them bottles of waters — and some joined the march.
“I just watched a peaceful protest in my neighborhood,” Christi Cline told The Georgetowner. “It started with a sit-in on N St then a walk towards campus and back to M Street. They were incredibly polite, even passing garbage bags around to collect trash. It was so refreshing after what our nation, our nation’s capital and our little neighborhood have gone through the last few days. Nice reminder that there is still always good around us!”
Observed one Georgetown resident from Martin’s Tavern: “It was very peaceful and the people we talked to — one of the leaders, two protesters and one of the policeman after it was over — were really nice and everyone seemed well-intentioned. Martin’s staff gave them trash bags, and they collected water bottles and trash before they left. Several asked us, those dining at Martin’s, to join them, although none did.
“Martin’s staff had gotten a call from the police in advance saying that ‘4,000’ protesters were on the way and for us to stay put. Helicopter hovered over us for a while before the marchers arrived. I arrived at 6:30 for dinner with two friends — it was our first night out since mid-March. There were only six or seven tables available outside. Martin’s staff were wonderful, as usual. They gave us a free round of drinks which was really nice of them.”
Protesters in Georgetown on June 3 numbered only in the hundreds — and another observer added: “All in all, to be part of this in our neighborhood was quite an experience. Quite an exciting dinner and, of course, Martin’s is still my favorite!”
Protesters as seen from Martin’s Tavern. Georgetowner photo.
Black Lives Matter marchers as seen from Martin’s Tavern on June 3. Georgetowner photo.
Black Lives Matter marchers as seen from Martin’s Tavern on June 3. Georgetowner photo.
Black Lives Matter marchers as seen from Martin’s Tavern on June 3. Georgetowner photo.
The intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street in Georgetown on June 3. Photo by Constance Chatfield-Taylor.
The intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown on June 3. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Black Lives Matter marchers on M Street June 3. Photo by Bill Starrels.
