Paper short abstract:

Global communities responded to George Floyd's death with protests, as cities made efforts to redefine themselves as spheres for civic engagement. This paper will offer curatorial reflections on rapid response collecting on this moment and its relevance to history, race, and social justice.

Paper long abstract:

Focusing on George Floyd Black Lives Matter protests at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., this paper will offer an overview of my role, as a curator of contemporary history and social justice, in preserving objects that represent select memories and voices of this present moment. Lafayette Square is the public park in front of the United States (U.S.) White House. It became ground zero for major protests in the U.S., including physical confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators, which prompted Washington's mayor to rename the site Black Lives Matter Plaza.

Starting with the importance of collecting the massive Greenpeace Black Lives Matter banner, which became a symbol and call to action for protesters, this paper will offer reflections on rapid response collecting and this moment's relevance to history. As demonstrators across the U.S. and around the world responded with protests over George Floyd's death, cities made efforts to redefine themselves as public spheres for civic engagement on democracy, race, and social justice.