PROTEST ART

Fifteen-day Black Lives Matter rally culminates in exhibit,

Black Lives Matter’s 15-day occupation at police headquarters was bursting with colour and sound. Now some of the art created and displayed there will be exhibited at the Harlem Underground restaurant.

The show launches today, with proceeds going to an upcoming summer camp called the Freedom School as well as the group’s new legal defence fund.

Black Out For Justice by Amber Williams-King

“Black Out For Justice,” was the “rallying cry,” said Amber Williams-King, on the first day of the protest.

“I was feeling a lot of this in my body, the sadness and rage,” she said.

We Will Win by Amber Williams-King

Williams-King created the watercolour and ink piece the night of March 21, after police removed the tents and fire from the camp, something that didn’t deter the protesters. “We know how to survive, we’ve been resisting anti-Blackness for centuries. Our spirits are resilient,” she said.

Portrait of QueenTite Opaleke by Syrus Marcus Ware

Ware works continuously on each massive drawing, taking 72-84 hours, with short breaks for naps. The subject here, QueenTite Opaleke, helps send used prosthetics to countries in need, and advocates for Black queer and trans folks in Toronto.

No One Left Behind by Amber Williams-King

Using pen and pencil, Williams-King drew this piece for those who weren’t able join the occupation for their own reasons, on one of the days she couldn’t bring herself to be there.

know-ledge by Cyril J. Cromwell

Neil Logik Donaldson, founder of “Stolen From Africa,” with his daughter.