In this three-part series, students show how they are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement this summer. In part one, Northview students Sir Price and Elijah Sigler share their experience marching in local protests.

Meghana Ramineni, Editor-in-Chief, Grace Peng, Managing Online and Social Media Editor & Jennifer Xia, Editor-in-Chief

In 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot at the hands of George Zimmerman in Sanford, FL. In response to this tragedy, community organizers Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors founded the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests were held in over 100 cities in America. 

In 2013, Eric Garner was killed due to a fatal asthma attack after being held in a chokehold by an officer in Staten Island, NY. Footage of the encounter was released a day later, leading to hundreds of demonstrations and thousands of protesters marching across America. 

In 2014, Michael Brown was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in Ferguson, MO. Outrage over his death led to months of civil unrest, especially when the Department of Justice announced half a year later that Wilson would not be charged with the shooting.

Now, in 2020, the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd among several others sparks nationwide outrage and worldwide support, leading to protests during an ongoing pandemic against police brutality in all 50 states and several countries around the world. 

Northview, a microcosm of society, has been involved in the change with its students participating in all sorts of activism. The student activism in the community evolved from simply physical activism to mostly virtual activism, as students utilize new resources to spread awareness and information. Social media is the center of most Northview activism, as students- mainly through Instagram and Snapchat- repost hundreds of infographics, advice pages, and videos, as well as sharing photos and fundraisers. Yet there are many students at Northview who bear the brunt of these lasting systemic injustices, and as a result, most strongly feel the call to attend protests. 

Sir Price, a rising senior, attended the Downtown Marietta protest on May 31, less than 48 hours after the video of Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck was released. Price himself grew up in Cobb County and later moved to Northview, where he is a substantial part of Northview’s Theatre Department and the Black History Club, the latter of which he will now lead as president in the upcoming school year. But he has long been subjected to several incidents of racism as an African American child and teenager, both in and out of school. The video of Floyd’s death brought about a multitude of emotions, ranging from shock to anger, hopelessness, and outrage, and Price knew it was time for change, and felt compelled to take action.

“Although I had often seen many videos of police murdering Black men, women, and kids, there is still that initial shock and disbelief that this type of modern-day lynching and genocide could still be happening in 2020. I knew right away that I needed to do something, and [that] I had to do it now. I needed to let my voice be heard,” Price said. “I had never attended a protest in my entire life, but the time was ripe, and I knew I had to be there.”

The protest began at the Marietta police station, a symbolic location for protest against the numerous incidents of police brutality. Crowds of protestors each carried their own poster of white, black, cardboard, or color, and Price himself arrived with a neon green poster that proclaimed “No Justice, No Peace. George Floyd” in black marker. The crowd, consisting of people of all races, collectively chanted the mottos of “Black Lives Matter!”, “Say his name, George Floyd!”, and “No Justice, No Peace!”, forming a continued rhythm that was accompanied by the horns and cheers of passing cars.

The call for change spread to other areas of town, leaving the police station within approximately an hour of Price’s arrival and marching through blocked-off streets to the center of Marietta Square, a historical park and well-known gathering place. There, the protest organizers began to speak to the crowd, who answered back as earnestly and as unified as they were in front of the police station. They led the way with stories of their own, from past experiences to new epiphanies, and encouraged others to speak as well. 

“I stood in the crowd, listening intently. One man spoke about a popular case in which, he had been babysitting two white kids when a white woman called the police on him. A college student spoke about her experiences with the police, and how it didn't matter if she had a 4.0 GPA or not; she was still targeted. Another college student tearfully [told] of how he felt when none of his [white] friends neither said nor did anything in defense or support of his harassment by the police,” Price said.

Price was not the only Northview student there that day. Elijah Sigler, a rising junior, had felt a similar need to be a part of the long-needed call for change and was in the crowd with Price when one of the protests’ organizers invited the young people in attendance to make their case. Sigler was first to jump on stage. 

Sigler makes a speech through a megaphone to a crowd of supporter cheering him on.

Video Courtesy of Elijah Sigler

“As someone who is from a rougher part of Atlanta, I've seen and been a part of police violence, and it's sad when people don't believe that it happens and don't understand the effects,” Sigler said. “Sometimes I choose not to say anything. I used to feel like it wouldn't affect me. Like I don't want people to not like me, but I am no longer keeping silent.” 

His courage to speak up was greeted with a wave of cheers from the crowd who urged him to “Speak your truth!” as he was handed the megaphone. In a minute-long speech that was recorded and shared on Instagram, Sigler masterfully drove his emotion through the energy of his introduction, his personal experience with the police, and the need for change, all of which was done without the use of any script or prior preparation.

“It should not feel like this,” Sigler said. “It should not feel like this. I’ve heard this thing that ‘All lives matter’. That is true. But what matters right now is that Black lives matter.” 

Sigler’s rhythmic repetition drew an eager response from the onlooking protestors, and Price, inspired by his friend’s speech, followed suit. The crowd’s reaction was just as enthusiastic and hung on eagerly to Price’s every word. 

“I started saying everything that was on my chest; things that I had been holding on my chest for years. I spoke straight from the heart. The crowd clapped and called out; they were right with me. As I was speaking, I felt [so] free and liberated. It felt good to tell others about my experience as a Black man in America. Hearing the crowd give their support during and after my speech freed a part of my soul that had been longing to get out,” Price said.

Price speaks on a platform to a crowd of peaceful protesters.

Video Courtesy of Sir Price

Price encourages a more racially conscious environment upon return to school next year in addition to the current protests, believing that the change he has so longed for can be achieved. He speaks of alternatives students can attend if protests are not an option.

“My message to other Northview students is: Always use your voice to invoke CHANGE. Never remain silent, because silence is complicit,” Price said. “[But currently], if students are not able to physically go out and march and protest, they can visit several protests and hand out water, distribute masks, or simply help organizers create protest posters.”

Sigler voices a similar hope for the future, believing that change is possible. 

“I believe that not saying anything is a part of being the problem. Silence is violence. Most Northview students are not as educated as they should be. Some are choosing to go out and make a change while others are either a part of the problem or choose not to say anything,” Sigler said. “If I could talk to [Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd],  I would say the same thing: Your voice is being heard. You will not be silenced. Your soul is still here and your life will be remembered.”

Both Price and Sigler are not stopping there, using social media to constantly post news reports of the protests’ headlines and successes. Price continues going out for change, including going to the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was shot and attending the ongoing peaceful protests at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta and bringing his “No Justice, No Peace. George Floyd.” poster. Price is also currently in the process of organizing his own protest, which will take place in a couple of weeks in Johns Creek. It will be his first of many as he continues to lend his voice to invoke social changes for current and future generations.