This story is part an ongoing series of journalism produced as part a collaboration between The Sacramento Bee, Sol Collective and other community organizations called the “Community to Newsroom Pipeline.” To learn more or to contribute, email us at voices@sacbee.com.

The Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day prompted large protests in cities nationally, including in Sacramento. Hundreds of local residents peacefully took to the streets and have held vigils.

In partnership with community members and activists, we asked: Why are you protesting?

Here’s what you said:

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Because the peace-keeping we’ve come to witness is not equitably peaceful. Because the consequences we’ve come to learn are not equitably consistent. Because the justice we’ve come to know is not equitably just. Because, “if not now, when?” Because, “if I don’t speak out for others, who will speak for me?” Because, “the time is always right to do the right thing.” Because silence is complicity. — Arielle

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I am protesting on behalf of the death of George Floyd. I hope that by speaking up and protesting, that we can eventually have a reforming of our judicial government towards convicting police officers. I am out there for the change in how we are treated by people who are supposed to protect us. — Kenny

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Anti-Blackness is so deeply embedded into the fabric that weaves us into a country; it is time to unravel and start anew. I’m tired of us being hated, used and abused for existing. — Raja

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Because people actually believe I wanted poverty, police brutality, poor education, poor health outcomes and trauma for myself and others and that because of the color of my skin, I deserve what was given to me. You may have inherited wealth, privilege and status. I inherited racism at all levels. No matter what I personally achieve, I’ll never be good enough, Christian enough, smart enough, rich enough, healthy enough, kind enough, funny enough or loving enough for the police to not be threatened by my mere presence. — Paul

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Because I have to.

— Andrea

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I’m protesting because I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. Watching my folks murdered in the street time and time again is traumatizing. I’m making my voice heard for those that were silenced with a knee on their neck or a gunshot wound that ended their life. I’m protesting because I am a human and I believe that we can do so much better as a society. As a Black Woman, I’m protesting for my father, my grandfather, my uncles, nephews and all the other black men that have the potential to be gunned down in the street just because the color of their skin. — Kiara

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I am protesting for justice over black lives lost to the system.

I’m protesting for my black brothers & sisters who I pray for everyday they leave the house. I protest for my family. I protest for equality & love across the board. — Janett

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I am tired of waking up to hear of yet another black man murdered by our police! The black community has taken blow after blow; when is enough finally enough? — Ri

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So many times, we’ve riot and marched but for what? for it to happen again and again. just for it to be for naught. so many lives lost for a cause but still, we’re unable to change. we see the past that the excuses leads to the stereotypes; from the color of our skin, to our ‘ghetto’ neighborhood that they think defines us, or just racial profiling - a label we have, but didn’t need. now, anything can get us in a bad situation. the discrimination, the belittlement, the stares. you can feel unsafe in the place you grew up in, and the people you’re surrounded by. my worst fear is growing comfortable in this ‘norm’. it’s sad, all i can ask is ‘who is next?’ ‘who will be the next victim’ and ‘when will it stop?’ — Serene

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I’m protesting because I see my black brothers being treated unfairly and being discriminated against in their daily lives. I’m protesting because I want to see cops held accountable for treating all people, especially blacks, with humanity even if they are being arrested under suspicion of a crime. I want to see the police enforce new rules promoting accountability and I want to see rules against retaliation against any cop who calls out wrong or potentially wrong treatment of citizens. — Zenith

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Bc I don’t dare play obedient for a system that would gladly shove others to their knees. I protest being treated like I’m better than someone else because my skin looks different than theirs. I protest pushing others down to steal my privilege. Because I refuse to wait for someone else to step up first. Because I have to believe everyone deserves to live a long, fulfilling life (otherwise none of us deserve that). – Michelle

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I want to be in protesting to create a catalyst for political change in my city and community.

I want to protest because of my family and what we been through.

And to find a way to get folks to listen to us on the ground for larger city, state and federal change. — Alexis

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I’m tired. I’m past tired. My whole life I’ve seen people that look like me, people I know be discriminated against and harassed. And for what, our skin color? When is enough enough? When will America live up to its potential: liberty and justice for ALL its people. — Jay

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There is a lot of overt and systematic racism that we have failed to address in our communities and I want to support efforts to do so. — Yarín

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I’m protesting today because I watch my people go through hell. My friends be abused, my people be killed, and my voice be silenced. I protest for ME and my little sibling growing up in a world where they can be killed for running with a damn pizza. — Chrishawn

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I’m tired of the historical mistreatment of Black people. I’m protesting the mistreatment of my ancestors and my contemporaries, and unfortunately, those who have yet to come. I’m protesting because of the international mistreatment of people of color.

I’m mad because I live with fear for what is going to happen today and everyday.

Protesting is a limited, temporary release - a show of objection to the treatment we face. I support protesting the individuals, groups and institutions, that either implicitly or explicitly, support and further cultivate these systems of oppression. — KT

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I joined the protests because it’s critical that I give my support and love to the Black community. As an ally, my job becomes most important in times like this. I carry a lot of energy and vibes with me, and I wanted to be sure to bring my positive, assuring energy to protesters.

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To represent the anger we have towards our justice system. To demonstrate a black man’s outrage.

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I protest in memory of the black lives & all lives lost due to systemic racism that exists in American culture. I protest as my birthright under the constitution. I protest in hopes that my one voice in a collective be added to the long and arduous struggle that minorities face daily. I protest to bring about change within our social, economic and political construct. I am protesting today due to the egregious deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others around the globe as it was a stark reminder of what minorities have suffered and endured for many generations.

My protest reminds me that we still have a long walk to fore go before we see any real change in this country involving minorities. I protest today because the manner in which they died resonated deeply in me, it touched the very core of my humanity of what’s truly wrong with policy involving minorities living in America.

Why do I protest? Is it done as some sort of self interest which provides me a theater to be acknowledged for my opinions or do I protest for the common betterment of our humanity? I’ve asked myself these questions, is there any significance in me protesting when it seems that previous generations before me struggled to bring about the changes they so desperately desired?

I can only hope that my protest will be a beacon of light & inspire others to continue to raise their voices & continue the good fight despite the insurmountable obstacles we face to bring about change.

I protest that we as a people will be equally and fairly treated under the constitution of America. I hope my protesting will expose the flaws and hold government, police and judicial institutions accountable for their actions.

I’m protesting for the future of the next generation who will one day be at these same crossroads were facing today & hope they reflect on the previous ground work laid before them and be inspired to carry the torch of freedom and fight for equality for the advancement of our society. George Floyd’s death pushed society beyond the brink of one’s own humanity, it was a visceral reminder that we must continue to voice our opinions nationwide, globally & fight to expose systems of government that have a infamous history of turning a blind eye at the injustice of the people.

I believe that George Floyd’s death was the catalyst that broke the camel’s back.

I sense that there is a real shift going on within our culture right at this very moment. It’s a positive change that I haven’t felt in sometime and I feel hopeful for the future of this country, the walls of Jericho are tumbling down around us, right now, enough was enough! Wrong is wrong, and our voices have finally been heard in protest.

I protest because there is power in numbers. I believe that society as a whole senses a feeling of solidarity among the people, and when we raise our voices in protest there is real power in it. We’re living in another significant moment in history, but it’s only due to the ground work laid before us from previous generations.

It’s my civic duty, and responsibility as a human no matter how minuscule or far reaching my message may travel. — Jahari

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This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 5:47 PM.