Events / White Coats For Black Lives

White Coats For Black Lives

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Kingshighway Forest Park Parkway and Parkview Place, 4550 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108

The goal of this protest is to show support for communities of color and acknowledge that racism is a public health crisis, while adhering to public health guidelines for the pandemic.

We will be gathering on Kingshighway along the eastern edge of Forest Park on Friday, 6/5/20 at 11:30AM-12:15PM. We will begin gathering between Forest Park Parkway and Parkview Place, on the east side of Kingshighway; we will spread out along that side of the road from there. At 12PM, we will kneel as a group for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Bring a water bottle.

Non-POC: This protest is not about us; it’s not about how recent events have made us feel. It’s about showing up and demonstrating to people of color in our communities, and Black people in particular, that we see them, we hear them, and we are here to support them.

  1. Wear a mask.
  2. Remain 6+ feet away from others. Be considerate of anyone on sidewalks/paths.
  3. Do not stand in groups of more than 10 people, and refrain from moving between groups if at all possible.
  4. Bring a sign with big letters and a simple message:
    1. Medically themed:
      “White Coats for Black Lives”
      “Racism is a Public Health Crisis”
    2. Generic:
      “Black Lives Matter”
      “___ should still be alive”
      Justice for ___”
      Unfortunately, there are many names you can put in those blanks: Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade…
  5. Members of the media may be present. Remember that we are protesting as individuals and do not represent WUSM.
  6. Wear your white coat and/or scrubs if you have them.
  7. WUSM and BJC security are aware of the event. If you feel unsafe for any reason, leave immediately. If for some reason there are counter-protesters, don’t engage with them.

We will be focused along Kingshighway. We are not protesting against Barnes. Alternative high-visibility areas include:

  • Pedestrian bridges over 64 on the south edge of Forest Park
  • Western edge of Forest Park along Skinker – maintain a respectful distance from
    pedestrians and bikers along paths

If you are unable to get to Forest Park, or if you feel uncomfortable joining us there, feel free to organize your own mini-protests in groups of 10 or fewer. Alternative high-visibility areas in Tower Grove Park:

  • The intersections at Shaw/Tower Grove and Arsenal/Morganford
  • Along the east side of the park on Grand
  • Along the west side of the park on Kingshighway

If you are unable to join us physically, we invite you to participate in a moment of silence at noon on 6/5.