Five years after George Floyd’s death, new photo exhibit explores fight for racial equality in Santa Cruz

Following the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, cities across the country were gripped by a palpable sense of anger. As a photojournalist in Santa Cruz, I found myself assigned to cover a rally in honor of Floyd in downtown Santa Cruz. My primary objective was to photograph the event’s organizer, Joy Flynn.

Within an hour of arriving at the Santa Cruz town clock that Saturday, May 30, it became clear to me that the event would be etched in Santa Cruz’s history. Hundreds of people, representing a range of ages and backgrounds, lined Pacific Avenue, forming a powerful display of unity.

At 9:25 a.m., the crowd collectively knelt in silence to pay tribute to Floyd. This was not merely a moment of remembrance; it was a collective act of protest, a profound condemnation of the horrific injustice that had transpired days earlier. For 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time that prosecutors said a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck — the city stood still, the silence heartbreaking and deeply moving.

Following the solemn moment, the crowd embarked on a march through downtown Santa Cruz. I accompanied them, camera in hand, documenting every striking moment. I was awestruck — not only by the magnitude of the movement itself, but also by Flynn’s remarkable ability to galvanize such a large and peaceful demonstration within a matter of days.

Over the next several months, I witnessed a surge in activism as people rose to speak out, protest and lead. I observed more peaceful demonstrations and saw young leaders emerge with unwavering strength and purpose, displaying genuine courage. Among them was Thairie Ritchie. I spent a significant amount of time with him and was always astounded by his exceptional speaking skills. He had a unique way of never preaching, always educating.

Recognizing the pivotal nature of this period in our community’s history, I felt a sense of honor — not only to be able to witness it, but also to document it through my lens.

In September 2022, I reached out to Ritchie, Esabella Bonner, Flynn, Justin Cummings and Thomas Sage Pedersen, inviting them to meet. I had a vision of creating a photo gallery exhibit that would honor those who chose to lead. I shared my vision with them and they all expressed their support. Fellow photojournalist Shmuel Thaler, of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, was also excited to have his photography be a part of this project.

This year, the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, felt like the moment to finally bring this vision to life.

After three years of planning and preparation, our photo gallery exhibit, “From Pain to Power: 2020 – A Photographic Glimpse into a Defining Moment in Santa Cruz History,” will open to the public next Monday, June 30, at the London Nelson Community Center. 

Bonner, Cummings, Flynn, Abi Mustapha and Brittnii Potter will all come together to share their personal stories for an opening-night panel moderated by Pedersen.

The Resource Center for Nonviolence has also played a crucial role in the event, acting as its fiscal sponsor and providing a permanent home for the gallery after its monthlong run at the London Nelson Community Center during July.