Protests against police brutality and white supremacy erupted around the country in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis—and it's no surprise that demonstrators soon arrived at the White House. The actions of police to forcibly disperse protestors at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on June 1 were shocking and widely condemned, but peaceful demonstrations have continued to assemble in the days since. They join a long history of protest movements that have traveled to Washington, D.C.—and specifically to the White House—to advocate for their cause. From the Women's Suffrage Movement in the early 20th century to the famed March on Washington to today's Black Lives Matter protests, Americans have long exercised their right to free speech and assembly on the President's doorstep. Here, we've compiled a few iconic photographs of protests at the White House, along with some of the history behind these landmark movements.
The White House has long been the place where individuals gather to speak their minds and demand justice.