The Experience of Protesting for the First Time

Harmony, a 19-year-old retail worker in Pittsburgh, joined her first protest after the death of George Floyd. She marched with the crowd, feeling nervous but determined. As tensions escalated and the police began advancing, Harmony captured the experience on a Facebook live video. She described the fear she felt as she tried to keep an eye on her friend and contemplated whether to retreat or hold her ground. Eventually, the situation turned chaotic, tear gas was deployed, and Harmony and her sister were forcefully arrested. She described the intense emotions and uncertainty she faced during her time in jail, including concerns about COVID-19 exposure and the unexpected bail amount of $10,000.