WASHINGTON – Elena Lacayo, lead singer of Elena & Los Fulanos, wheels her amplifier, microphone and guitar with her to protests almost every day since George Floyd’s death.
Lacayo, her neighbor, Caroline Howe, and other Petworth residents have gathered at Sherman Circle Park for ten weeks now to demonstrate their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
But what began as large demonstrations of nearly 100 people gathered in the park has trickled down to just a handful of participants. Some days Lacayo stands alone.
This doesn’t discourage Lacayo from continuing to show up week after week. She believes that we all have an obligation to look critically at ourselves to determine how we can contribute to a better society.
“There’s something meaningful about the sustained presence, that we’re there every day, even if it’s just a few of us.” Lacayo said.
Lacayo says the reception from the surrounding community is mostly positive, including drivers honking as they drive by and fists raised in solidarity, but there has been some pushback.
The Spring family are also members of the continuing demonstrations. Petworth residents Charles and Carol Spring and their daughter, rising freshman Rebecca can remember a man stopping his car to yell at them. They have also debated with neighbors about what defunding the police will look like.
Though they may not always agree, the Spring family feels it is important to come out and engage Petworth residents in these discussions.
“We need to keep reminding people to keep the momentum going. It’s not just like a fad.” Rebecca said.
The demonstrations are now held every Wednesday at Sherman Circle Park.
