Earlier this month, a woman named Jennifer, who became known online as “BBQ Becky,” called police on a group of Black people who were barbecuing at Lake Merritt in Oakland. The moment went viral, and social media users turned her into a meme, even photoshopping her into famous moments from history. Behind the jokes, many people voiced frustration over Black people being policed for everyday activities.
On Sunday, hundreds of people returned to the same spot and fired up grills for a “BBQ While Black” festival. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, organizer Logan sent out a flyer that spread quickly around town, and neighbors offered to help with security, cleanup and music.
Logan also applied for city permits and, along with a friend, spent about $700 of her own money on the event. After a few hours, the gathering grew into a large street party with thousands of people.
“Unlike the civil rights movement, we aren’t fighting for our rights,” Logan said. “Now we’re fighting for the right to simply live within the law.”
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