Edited by Azizi Powell
This post documents a few examples of chants and signage that were used in Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore, Maryland and in other United States cities. Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American resident of the city, died in police custody a week after being arrested and transported to the police station.
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on protest chants. Other posts in this series can be found by clicking the "protest chant" tag at the bottom of this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of those who participate in non-violent protests for equality and justice for all. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the videographers & publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
BACKGROUND
From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/30/freddie-gray-death-questions_n_7182428.html "Someone Isn't Telling The Truth About Freddie Gray's Death",
04/30/2015 11:59 pm EDT
"By now, everybody knows the injuries that contributed to Freddie Gray's death. Baltimore authorities and representatives for Gray’s family agree that the 25-year-old sustained fatal trauma to his neck and spine at some point while in police custody following his arrest on April 12. Although a full autopsy hasn't yet been released, the family has said that Gray’s spine was nearly severed, and that his doctors had attempted to repair three fractured neck vertebrae and a crushed voice box. Last week, The Baltimore Sun spoke to medical experts who said that Gray's injuries were, in the paper's words, comparable to those seen in “victims of high-speed crashes...
Over the past few weeks, Baltimore police have provided few answers about how Gray went from seemingly healthy enough to flee police on the morning of April 12 to dead on April 19 after a week in a coma...”
****
From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/01/criminal-charges-freddie-gray_n_7188946.html "Baltimore State's Attorney: 'We Have Probable Cause To File Criminal Charges' Over Freddie Gray's Death", 05/01/2015 10:52 am EDT Paige Lavender
"Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby gave an update on the investigation into the death of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old who died after suffering a spinal cord injury while in police custody in April, calling his death a homicide.
"We have probable cause to file criminal charges," Mosby said in a press conference Friday.
Charges including second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault, among others, will be filed against the officers involved in Gray's arrest, Mosby said...
Mosby noted that "no crime had been committed by Mr. Gray." Police had said Gray was arrested for possessing a switchblade, but Mosby said Friday the knife in Gray's possession was not a switchblade and was lawful, and said officers "illegally arrested" Gray.
"We are very much committed to pursuing justice," Mosby said."
****
FEATURED ARTICLES
These excerpted articles are presented in chronological order with article with the oldest date given first. The sentences with chants in these articles are given in italics to highlight them.
From http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_102296.shtml
'All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray'
By Askia Muhammad, Nisa Islam Muhammad, Charles Robinson and Shawn Massie | Last updated: Apr 28, 2015 - 8:07:18 AM
“Questions about police violence fuel outrage over death of young Black male, the crisis is far from over and not limited to the city of Baltimore, say activists and demonstrators in the streets…
It’s not what the city leaders said was wanted but those who came to foment confrontation found it April 25 outside a baseball game. For most of the day, thousands [in Baltimore] walked from the scene of the Gray death to City Hall. Organizers emphasized they wanted to shut down the city. They clogged main arteries as some chanted, “No justice, no peace.” “All night, all day we will fight for Freddie Gray,” chanted others.
****
From http://fox6now.com/2015/04/29/marchers-take-to-the-streets-across-the-u-s-all-night-all-day-were-gonna-fight-for-freddie-gray/
'Marchers take to the streets across the U.S.: “All night, all day, we’re gonna fight for Freddie Gray”' Posted 10:46 pm, April 29, 2015, by CNN Wire Service
..."[In New York City] “The rally was organized through social media, much like protests over the killing of Eric Garner, who died while police held him in what appeared to be a chokehold. The demonstrators chanted “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice for Freddie Gray” — the Baltimore man whose death sparked street confrontations in Baltimore.
In Washington[ DC], about 500 protesters, mostly in their 20s, gathered in the middle of H Street and 7th and chanted, “All night, all day, we’re gonna fight for Freddie Gray.”
The mood seemed more festive than confrontational, with songs by Public Enemy like “Fight the Power” playing and sign-language interpreters translating the music and chants.
The protest moved to the White House where most of the crowd dispersed. It started after most office workers had headed home and didn’t disrupt the Washington workforce badly."
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order by their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest video given first. The response in call & response chants are given in brackets. Additions and corrections are welcome.
WARNING: Many of the comments in video discussion threads about these protests are antagonistic to the protests, including the use of the n word and other racist content, and including profanity.
Example #1: Baltimore protests death of Freddie Gray - RT Special Coverage
RT America, Published on Apr 22, 2015
Ben Swann reports from the scene of the Baltimore protests following Freddie Gray’s mysterious death in police custody. Swann interviews the Gray family lawyer and a local minister in an attempt to unravel the events going on in the city. Anya Parampil reports live from the protests and captures the mood of the demonstrators. Finally, Manuel Rapalo delivers the latest information on the timeline leading up to and after Gray’s death.
-snip-
Two examples of chants heard in this video:
No justice.
[No peace].
**
All night
[All night]
All night
[all night]
All day
[All day]
All day
[All day]
We will fight for Freddie Gray
-snip-
Note that during an interview, a protestor said "Is it justice or just us" (meaning preferntial treatment under the law for some people instead of equality under the law).
****
Example #2: Baltimore residents take to the streets to protest death of Freddie Gray
Reuters Published on Apr 23, 2015
Protesters cry "All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray!" -- a 27-year-old black man who was arrested by Baltimore police and later died in custody. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
-snip-
Examples of chants in this video clip are:
[unison chants]
“Freddie”! “Freddie”!
**
All night, all day
We will fight for Freddie Gray”
**
[call and response chant]
No justice
[No peace]
****
Example #3: Baltimore Protesters Marching for Freddie Gray
pArtyiNfo4aLL Published on Apr 29, 2015
I jogged to the front and caught most of the crowd coming by. We were made to move away from the courthouse and they were en route back to Penn Station.
-snip-
Notice that this is a very multi-racial protest consisting of mostly college age marchers. Chants were spoken to the beat of a drum. Many of the chanters raised a clenched fist as a sign of resolve and held mostly handmade signs. Examples of signs were “I Can’t Breathe”, "Black Lives Matter “Police Are The Outside Agitators”, and “I mourn broken necks, not windows”
A chant example:
caller: All night
group: All day
All: We will fight for Freddie Gray
-snip-
The April 29, 2015 rally/march in New York City in support of Freddie Gray included this unison chant directed towards the police "Who do you serve? Who do you protect?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4OsmSqcPhM.
****
UPDATE May 1, 2015
May 1, 2015 Maryland State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced indictments for the six police officers involved in the Freddie Gray case.
During a MSNBC television report on May 1, 2015 (at 8:20 pm), marchers chanted "convict all six" (referring to the indicted six police officers). The marchers also chanted "All night, all day/we will fight for Freddie Gray" and "Freddie", "Freddie", "Freddie" in unison.
****
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Visitor comments are welcome
Showing posts with label Baltimore protests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baltimore protests. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2015
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Michael Jackson's "Beat It" Performed During Baltimore Freddie Gray Protests
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases two videos of Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves dancing to "Beat It" and to other Michael Jackson songs during the April 27, 2015 Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore, Maryland. This post also includes a long excerpt from an article about Dimitri Reeves' dancing that includes an interview with Reeves in which he shares why he did those performances during that protest. Selected comments from two other discussion threads about Reeves' performances are also included in this post.
The Addendum of this post includes the slang meaning of "beat it" tht applies to this song. The Addendum also includes the official Michael Jackson video of "Beat It" and the lyrics to this hit record.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, motivational, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Michael Jackson for composing and performing these songs, and thanks to Dimitri Reeves for his dance performances during those protests. Thanks also to all those who are protesting non-violently in Baltimore & elsewhere for justice. And thanks also to NBC reporter Shomari Stone (and possibly others) for filming these performances. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to all publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES
From http://kfor.com/2015/04/28/man-dances-to-michael-jacksons-beat-it-during-baltimore-riots/ "Man dances to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ during Baltimore riots", Posted 2:56 pm, April 28, 2015, by Dallas Franklin & KFOR-TV
"While buildings and cars across Baltimore were engulfed in flames, one man took to the streets to “spread love and peace” while dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
NBC reporter Shomari Stone recently captured footage of Dimitri Reeves dancing in the street to the hit song, according to Mashable.
Hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody, about a dozen businesses were looted or damaged and at least 15 officers were wounded.
While others were rioting, Dimitri was seen channeling his inner Michael Jackson on top of a truck...
[Dimitri said]... they heard the music. I did “Will You Be There,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Beat It.” Most people thought I was trying be funny, but I wasn’t trying to be funny at all. That wasn’t my mindset at all,” Dimitri said. “I just wanted to take people’s minds off of what was going on in that area. We were right in the middle of it. On one side there was a fire. On the other side was a police force with riot shields and every thing.”
Dimitri says his message is simple.
“Think. It’s as simple as that. My message to people is just to think before you react. We’re just so quick to react that — just think about what we’re doing here. That’s the only thing I can say: just think,” he told Mediaite."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: BALTIMORE PROTESTER DANCING MICHAEL JACKSON's BEAT IT
OMGtv Published on Apr 28, 2015
Baltimore Michael Jackson's Beat It
Protester Dancing Baltimore
****
Example #2: Michael Jackson’ dancing protester rocks Baltimore rally
RT Published on Apr 28, 2015
As protests continue to sweep Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves was spotted entertaining the crowds atop of a parked truck on Tuesday.
-snip-
It should be noted that the protests in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, April 27, 2015 turned violent with some stores and other buildings burned and looted. However, the next day the protests were peaceful and included planned or impromptu performances by a brass band, marching bands, drill teams, and roller skating dancers, among others with the intent to change the dynamics and return to peaceful protests. A number of reporters indicated that the atmosphere was somewhat festive "like a block party". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphTbMEYPgA for a short video of a marching band at the Baltimore protests (April 28, 2015).
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM TWO OTHER VIDEOS DIMITRI REEVES DANCING TO "BEAT IT" DURING THE BALTIMIRE FREDDY GRAY PROTESTS
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaDWeMg1AM
John Rusindo, April 28, 2015
"He's obviously telling everyone to Beat it, he's the peace maker in all of this."
**
RickXTN, April 28, 2015
"+John Rusindo You got it! He spreading the message of the song. "It doesn't matter who's wrong or right just beat it!" The fact that this is starting to go viral means the message is getting across. :-)
**
aj619aj, April 28, 2015
"He's actually symbolic by dancing this dude spreading a message..."
**
jackie sanders, 2015
"LOL...Just listen to the words! It looks like he is dancing in front of the police"
****
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRmN4a-GX4 "Beat it, as performed during the Baltimore riots"
Ghetto Lisa, April 29, 2015
"Some people may be laughing but the song Beat It has a message and it speaks everything the people should just do. I applaud him for doing positive rather than negative."...
**
Kalib Shapiro, April 29, 2015
"+Ghetto Lisa Your playing with your life this ain't no truth or dare. they'll beat you, they'll kick you, and they'll tell you it's fair. so beat it."
**
Twilight Angel, April 29, 2015
"Now that's how you make a statement."
****
ADDENDUM
WHAT "BEAT IT" MEANS (in the context of Michael Jackson's record)
One slang meaning of "beat it" is "to leave"; to "get out of here"(probably from the phrase "to beat a path of retreat".)
In the official video for Michael Jackson's 1982 record "Beat It", he said those words and gave other advive to two rival gangs who were preparing to fight.
****
MICHAEL JACKSON'S "BEAT IT" VIDEO
Michael Jackson - Beat It (Digitally Restored Version)
michaeljacksonVEVO Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Music video by Michael Jackson performing Beat It. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.
****
LYRICS - BEAT IT
(written by Michael Jackson)
They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't want to see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/beat-it-lyrics-michael-jackson.html
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases two videos of Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves dancing to "Beat It" and to other Michael Jackson songs during the April 27, 2015 Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore, Maryland. This post also includes a long excerpt from an article about Dimitri Reeves' dancing that includes an interview with Reeves in which he shares why he did those performances during that protest. Selected comments from two other discussion threads about Reeves' performances are also included in this post.
The Addendum of this post includes the slang meaning of "beat it" tht applies to this song. The Addendum also includes the official Michael Jackson video of "Beat It" and the lyrics to this hit record.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, motivational, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Michael Jackson for composing and performing these songs, and thanks to Dimitri Reeves for his dance performances during those protests. Thanks also to all those who are protesting non-violently in Baltimore & elsewhere for justice. And thanks also to NBC reporter Shomari Stone (and possibly others) for filming these performances. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to all publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES
From http://kfor.com/2015/04/28/man-dances-to-michael-jacksons-beat-it-during-baltimore-riots/ "Man dances to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ during Baltimore riots", Posted 2:56 pm, April 28, 2015, by Dallas Franklin & KFOR-TV
"While buildings and cars across Baltimore were engulfed in flames, one man took to the streets to “spread love and peace” while dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
NBC reporter Shomari Stone recently captured footage of Dimitri Reeves dancing in the street to the hit song, according to Mashable.
Hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody, about a dozen businesses were looted or damaged and at least 15 officers were wounded.
While others were rioting, Dimitri was seen channeling his inner Michael Jackson on top of a truck...
[Dimitri said]... they heard the music. I did “Will You Be There,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Beat It.” Most people thought I was trying be funny, but I wasn’t trying to be funny at all. That wasn’t my mindset at all,” Dimitri said. “I just wanted to take people’s minds off of what was going on in that area. We were right in the middle of it. On one side there was a fire. On the other side was a police force with riot shields and every thing.”
Dimitri says his message is simple.
“Think. It’s as simple as that. My message to people is just to think before you react. We’re just so quick to react that — just think about what we’re doing here. That’s the only thing I can say: just think,” he told Mediaite."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: BALTIMORE PROTESTER DANCING MICHAEL JACKSON's BEAT IT
OMGtv Published on Apr 28, 2015
Baltimore Michael Jackson's Beat It
Protester Dancing Baltimore
****
Example #2: Michael Jackson’ dancing protester rocks Baltimore rally
RT Published on Apr 28, 2015
As protests continue to sweep Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves was spotted entertaining the crowds atop of a parked truck on Tuesday.
-snip-
It should be noted that the protests in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, April 27, 2015 turned violent with some stores and other buildings burned and looted. However, the next day the protests were peaceful and included planned or impromptu performances by a brass band, marching bands, drill teams, and roller skating dancers, among others with the intent to change the dynamics and return to peaceful protests. A number of reporters indicated that the atmosphere was somewhat festive "like a block party". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphTbMEYPgA for a short video of a marching band at the Baltimore protests (April 28, 2015).
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM TWO OTHER VIDEOS DIMITRI REEVES DANCING TO "BEAT IT" DURING THE BALTIMIRE FREDDY GRAY PROTESTS
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaDWeMg1AM
John Rusindo, April 28, 2015
"He's obviously telling everyone to Beat it, he's the peace maker in all of this."
**
RickXTN, April 28, 2015
"+John Rusindo You got it! He spreading the message of the song. "It doesn't matter who's wrong or right just beat it!" The fact that this is starting to go viral means the message is getting across. :-)
**
aj619aj, April 28, 2015
"He's actually symbolic by dancing this dude spreading a message..."
**
jackie sanders, 2015
"LOL...Just listen to the words! It looks like he is dancing in front of the police"
****
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRmN4a-GX4 "Beat it, as performed during the Baltimore riots"
Ghetto Lisa, April 29, 2015
"Some people may be laughing but the song Beat It has a message and it speaks everything the people should just do. I applaud him for doing positive rather than negative."...
**
Kalib Shapiro, April 29, 2015
"+Ghetto Lisa Your playing with your life this ain't no truth or dare. they'll beat you, they'll kick you, and they'll tell you it's fair. so beat it."
**
Twilight Angel, April 29, 2015
"Now that's how you make a statement."
****
ADDENDUM
WHAT "BEAT IT" MEANS (in the context of Michael Jackson's record)
One slang meaning of "beat it" is "to leave"; to "get out of here"(probably from the phrase "to beat a path of retreat".)
In the official video for Michael Jackson's 1982 record "Beat It", he said those words and gave other advive to two rival gangs who were preparing to fight.
****
MICHAEL JACKSON'S "BEAT IT" VIDEO
Michael Jackson - Beat It (Digitally Restored Version)
michaeljacksonVEVO Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Music video by Michael Jackson performing Beat It. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.
****
LYRICS - BEAT IT
(written by Michael Jackson)
They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't want to see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/beat-it-lyrics-michael-jackson.html
****
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