Mass demonstrations have erupted across the US and other major cities around the globe.
These protests - some peaceful, some violent - are calling out the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
They are also demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.
The message is simple: Black lives matter.
Now, graduates of color are wearing their robes while protesting during what many are describing as a defining moment in black history.
This comes amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has forced people to chose between staying at home to avoid the potentially deadly virus or taking to the streets to join the protects which have erupted in almost every major US city.
This picture of 17-year-old graduate Rachel Garrison was captioned: "17 yo Rachel Garrison commemorating her graduation as valedictorian of North Education Center. She was here when Minnehaha Liquors burned protesting for George Floyd."
One group of protesting graduates' disturbing stories were shared by photographer David Guttenfelder. He shared a picture of them protecting themselves with their diplomas.
Datelle Straub told the photographer: "Because of COVID we couldn’t walk the stage, so we decided to put our robes on to show that there is black excellence in our community. And we walked the streets as our stage and protested."
He then lifted his diploma when he saw police approaching the group. "As we were walking, cops jumped out of a van and aimed their guns at me and my friends. And put a red dot on our chests. It's just frustrating that they are OK with killing the future," he explained.
The black graduate who shared this video of himself protesting wrote on Instagram:
"If you're going to represent something be ALL IN. Class of 2020, we have work to do. We have to change the way they look at us, how we work together and the message we speak. The work was never over. Let this be etched in history books as an educated black man with his community and family. Never separate. Represent. #blacklivesmatter #newark #rutgers #classof2020"
Adedotun O. Adeyemo also took a stand in his cap and gown mid-protest. He captioned his powerful post:
"You won’t see it around the internet. If you’re going to represent something be ALL IN. Class of 2020, we have work to do. We have to change the way they look at us, how we work together and the message we speak. The work was never over. Let this be etched in history books as an educated black man with his community and family. Never separate. Represent."
Above, Deveonte Joseph stands tall in St. Paul, Minnesota, while donning his blue gown.
Speaking to Refinery29, Deveonte said: "I was looking forward to graduating with a cap and gown.
"It’s been hard. I’ve fought through it, but I did it. I graduated. We graduates from 2020 are going through all this. And it’s not fair, because there are a lot of people who wish to be in that crowd, and walk across that stage, and wear that gown, and throw up your cap with everybody."
Just 24 hours after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the protests spread across the river to St. Paul.
Before stepping out, Deveonte took out his fresh-out-the-packaging graduation robes. He said:
"When I put on the gown, I felt like I really accomplished something big. My brother always told me that not a lot of African Americans even reach my age. It’s a big accomplishment to graduate high school."
Congratulations to all the graduates out there!
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