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Aggressive crowd of Black Lives Matter

 

Aggressive crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters confront diners outside Washington DC restaurant

Lauren Victor was confronted by a crowd of BLM protesters in the Adams Morgan district of Washington DC on Monday - Fredrick Kunkle/Twitter
Lauren Victor was confronted by a crowd of BLM protesters in the Adams Morgan district of Washington DC on Monday - Fredrick Kunkle/Twitter

A large crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in a leafy district of Washington DC have been caught on camera surrounding a woman eating outside at a restaurant, aggressively demanding she raise her fist in solidarity.

Lauren Victor, 49, an urban planner and photographer, was sitting outside Los Cuates, a Mexican restaurant in Adams Morgan, on Monday night when she was confronted by the crowd.

They had gathered earlier to protest the shooting by police on Sunday of Jacob Blake, in Wisconsin.

Protesters wound their way up 14th Street, chanting: “No justice, no peace,” and, “Fire, fire, gentrifier — black people used to live here.”

Aggressive crowd of Black Lives MatterThe crowd, who appear to be mostly white, gathered outside restaurants, accusing diners of enjoying “white privilege” and encouraging them to show support.

A large crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in a leafy district of Washington DC have been caught on camera aggressively encircling a white woman eating outside at a restaurant, demanding she raise her fist in solidarity.

Lauren Victor, 49, an urban planner and photographer who lives in the District, was sitting outside Los Cuates, a Mexican restaurant in Adams Morgan, on Monday night when she was confronted by the crowd.

Protesters wound their way up 14th Street, chanting: “No Justice, No Peace,” and, “Fire, fire, gentrifier — black people used to live here.”

The crowd gathered outside restaurants, alternately accusing diners of enjoying “white privilege” and encouraging them to show support.

Lauren Victor BLM
Lauren Victor BLM

At one table, a young man who objected to the intrusion tried to explain that he worked for a nonprofit organisation committed to addressing mental health care for black people and other underserved populations. 

As they moved into the Adams Morgan district, the unrest continued, with Ms Victor's table outside Los Cuates singled out.

“White silence is violence!” protesters chanted, many with fists in the air, in footage that has now gone viral.

“Are you a Christian?” a protester demanded, yelling into her face.

Ms Victor, refused, even after her dining companion complied.

“I felt like I was under attack,” she said.

Ms Victor said she was a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and had marched in previous demonstrations.

However, she said she felt that it was wrong for hundreds of people to surround a small group of diners to try to intimidate them into making a show of support.

“It just felt overwhelming to have all of those people come at you. To have a crowd — with all that energy — demand that you do this thing. In the moment it didn’t feel right,” she told The Washington Post.

“They like to think because I raise my fist it means something or other.”

Ms Victor said she did "appreciate their anger," but was concerned the situation could escalate.

"Those things turn on a dime," she said.

The tactic was widely condemned on social media, with people speculating it would entrench hostility towards the anti-racism movement. 

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