Best Of Patch 2020: A Country’s Fight Against Racial Injustice

ACROSS AMERICA — On Memorial Day, the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police brought the conversations about racial inequality and police brutality in the United States to a boiling point.

Across the country, community leaders faced a reckoning as demonstrators spent days in the streets, rallying behind cries of “Black Lives Matter” and “I Can’t Breathe.” Together, protesters called for widespread reform and an end to police brutality against Black Americans.

In many cities, Patch editors were in the streets right alongside protesters, capturing their stories, their tragedies, and their pleas for a more equal country.

Here are some of the best stories of 2020 highlighting the country’s fight against racial injustice:

Former Cop Derek Chauvin Charged With Murder

On May 29, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of George Floyd four days earlier.

NYPD, Protesters Clash At Rally Over George Floyd Killing

On May 28, protesters chanted for a relatively peaceful hour before New York police clashed with the crowd. A cloud of pepper spray descended over the rally, police armed with batons violently took down protesters, and some rallygoers set fires — all scenes that played out in real time on social media.

Ahmaud Arbery: Killing Of Black Georgia Jogger Goes To Grand Jury

After a video surfaced showing white men chasing down black jogger Ahmaud Arbery, a Georgia prosecutor said he would impanel a grand jury.

Fairfield, Racism And The Woman Behind The Signs At Old Town Hall

In June, Ashley Crowe and her signs opposing racism became a fixture on the town hall green in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Meet A Mom Listing The Death Of 'Somebody's Baby' Some 165 Times

An Evanston, Illinois, native put the empathy of a mother behind her powerful statement in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. She indexed the names of some 165 Black Americans, mostly men, whose lives have been cut short by violence over the decades. The names on her website are printed in white-on-black type, one after another on line after line, each some mother's tragedy.

Denver Protests Against Death Of George Floyd: Photos

For more than a week, thousands of people have gathered every day in Denver to call for justice in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.

Black Families March For Racial Justice In D.C.

D.C. families took part in the Black Mamas March in June to call for racial justice and support the Black Lives Matter movement.

St. Pete Leaders Pledge To Listen, Act On Behalf Of Protesters

City leaders in St. Petersburg, Florida, offered comfort to frustrated community members at a city hall gathering through listening, hugs and prayer.

Pastors Demand Resignation of Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk

A press conference called to address violence in the community is not a place where you would expect a speaker to request a round of applause for the police chief, but that's what happened in Joliet, Illinois.

Temecula Mayor Resigns Amid Allegations Of Racism

In June, James "Stew" Stewart resigned as mayor of Temecula, California, after community members voiced outrage over an offensive text message he sent to a constituent concerned about police brutality.

Aunt Jemima's Great-Grandson Enraged Her Legacy Will Be Erased

Aunt Jemima's great-grandson told Patch that "retiring" the racially charged brand would erase his family legacy as well as America's ugly history.

DC Protester: What It's Like To Be Shot In Eye With Pepper Bullet

Matthew Leo Cima of Adams Morgan shares his experiences of protesting at the White House and being shot in the eye with a pepper bullet.