Protesters for racial justice and equality took their demands to NuLu on Friday around evening rush hour, closing off a section of Market Street to highlight gentrification there and lack of Black representation by businesses.
By evening, 76 people had been arrested.
The protest, Occupy NuLu, was aimed at focusing attention on gentrification that allowed the creation of the NuLu business district and neighborhood, once the Clarksdale housing project. It was organized by Black Lives Matter Louisville and No Justice No Peace Louisville.
They set up a long dining table to offer the displaced “a seat at the table,” trampoline and artwork and chanted: "Whose streets? Our streets."
Protesters presented nine demands for businesses in the NuLu district, which included increasing Black staff members, “including a minimum of 23% inventory of Black retailers OR make a recurring monthly donation of 1.5% of net sales to Black local organizations,” “maintaining adequate Black representation in any entertainment and performances booked”, and have “23% Black representation on the board of the NuLu Business Association.”
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
A protester was led away, one of the 76 protesters arrested duiring the Occupy NULU call to action.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Many protesters wrote on their arms the number for the Louisville Area Protest Support hotline, which monitors arrests, connects protesters to legal aid and provides jail support.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Protesters were seated on the sidewalk on Market Street as they were arrested during the Occupy NULU call to action on Friday.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Seventy six protesters were arrested at the Friday demonstration that shut down a block of Market Street.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Officers punctured with a knife and emptied the barrels of water placed on Market Street by protesters on Friday.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Protesters marched to the NULU area where they shut down a block of Market Street and presented a list of demands for NULU businesses. A few of the demands were that "businesses will adequately represent the Black population of Louisville by having a minimum of 23% Black staff", "maintain adequate Black representation in any entertainment and perfromances booked", and "23% Black representation on the board of the NULU business Association."
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Police and city workers dismantled and crushed a trampoline that had been brought by protesters.
KATHRYN HARRINGTON
Even some police wore masks.
