Coming as a bit of a surprise to the black community, Congressional black staffers executed a protest on Capital Hill Thursday afternoon. The group of more than 150 black staffers walked out of the building in a display of unity with the greater black community.

They were protesting not only the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, but also the many nameless souls whom have not gotten the media’s attention in the name of policing and justice. The death of unarmed, black men in this country is an epidemic and must be stopped.

The participating staffers assembled quietly on the steps of the House of Representatives. A prayer was led by Senate Chaplain Dr. Barry Black, as seems to be tradition in the black community. The protest was attended by civil rights activist Rep.

John Lewis among others.

“Forgive us when we have failed to lift our voices for those who could not speak or breathe themselves,” Black prayed, making an unmistakeable reference to the case of Garner, whose cries of, “I can’t breathe!” became an animating impetus for protesters.

Following the prayer and some words, the Congressional black staffers posed for pictures with the now iconic “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” pose.

“Black staffers on Capitol Hill wanted to do something in support of ongoing national and global protests against police aggression,” an organizer said Wednesday before the event. “Many of us felt we needed to stand with others who were taking on the issue of police abuse and do it here, where we work, even though not all of us have had that same experience, personally. Everyone I talked to has known someone who’s been directly impacted.”

“As black staffers on Capitol Hill, we saw a stark disconnect,” the event organizer said. “While we hold education credentials and broad access in the overall political system, often when we walk outside, we contend with the fact that we are seen as dangerous, merely because of the color of our skin.”

It is great to see these Congressional black staffers and members of Congress standing in solidarity with the black community over the actions of the police and judicial systems of this government, but the black community doesn’t want more lip service. We want action!

Is legislative investigation and action next?

That is the question on the mind of the black community who appreciates the gesture, but need some action.

– Source: The Daily Beast