Black Lives Matter Protests
Explore the People's History Museum's recent acquisition of photographs by Jake Hardy.
Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement started in 2013 in response to the acquittal of African-American Trayvon Martin's murderer, George Zimmerman. The 2020 wave of Black Lives Matter protests were triggered by the killing of George Floyd, an African-American man. Floyd was killed during his arrest, in which a white officer knelt on his neck, as Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Placards at the demonstrations that followed across the globe focussed on police brutality and discrimination.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Protesters highlighted the multiple layers of discrimination faced by Black people including Black trans people.
Manchester Black Lives Matter demonstration
On 31 May 2020, Jake Hardy attended the Manchester Black Lives Matter demonstration and took a series of 66 photographs. Jake explained: “For me, going to the protests was an incredibly moving and powerful experience. It was overwhelming being there, so I tried to focus my photography on capturing the pain and the raw emotion that others were clearly going through as well. For some, you could see this was the first time their voices were truly being heard. There was a real mix of emotion. It was uplifting, liberating... but painful - for many they were poking an open wound.”
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Jake’s photography captures many of the defining features of the 2020 Black Lives Matters protests, from face coverings worn by many demonstrators at the height of a global pandemic, to homemade placards and protest materials.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Protestors knelt at the start of the demonstration in St Peter’s Square. ‘Taking a knee’ is a symbol of solidarity, a gesture which dates to American Football quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the US national anthem in 2016.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Protesters marched through the city centre...
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
...and gathered in St Ann's Square.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
The protest finished back in St Peter's Square.
The photographs are now part of the museum’s collection
Jake Hardy’s photographs are now part of the museum’s permanent collection ensuring we are representing, exploring, and telling contemporary stories to inspire change for a fairer future.
Black Lives Matter protest, Manchester (2020) by Jake HardyPeople's History Museum
Jake concludes: “I hope that by continuing to make our voices heard we can move society into the right direction. No person should ever be judged by the colour of their skin. As modern times seem to keep getting stranger and stranger, we have to stand up for what's right in this world. I think this is a very unique moment in history, and I hope it can bring about the changes that so many of us are hoping for.”
Photography: Jake Hardy
