If you have scrolled down the posts of your Instagram feed, we are pretty sure you would have stumbled across this powerful picture a bride and groom standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protesters in Philadelphia.
A newlywed couple has joined a Black Lives Matter protest in Philadelphia after taking their vows the same day. What was supposed to be an intimate moment before a couple’s wedding ceremony has turned into a symbol of solidarity and love seen and shared more with more than just their wedding party.
Over the course of two weeks, Kerry Anne asked 21 of her and Michael’s immediate family members to join them in the courtyard of The Logan Hotel. Even though the hotel has closed its doors because of the pandemic, they offered up their courtyard for a small ceremony, Kerry Anne said.
When Kerry Anne found out that the weekend’s Black Lives Matter protests were set to take place close to her wedding location, she was conflicted because she said she wanted to take part in them but knew she wanted to kick off this new chapter in her life with Michael.
The plan for the couple to see each other for the first time was always meant to take place on the corner of the hotel, according to Kerry Anne. She said when she walked outside to meet Michael, she was initially alone and away from protesters. By the time Michael began his walk to meet her, the demonstrators had marched closer and closer to her. Eventually, they moved in around her and started cheering and clapping as Michael made his way to greet her.
And what would have been just another socially-distant wedding amidst the pandemic became a symbolic nod to one of the most critical movements of our lifetime.
Video of the couple walking out of city’s Logan Hotel after the ceremony to a roar of applause from the crowd holding banners protesting against police brutality is spreading love online.
The Power Of Love On So Many Levels
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“Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Amanda Roe Heiser, a New Jersey-based sketch artist created this stunning art to further solidify the sentiments of millions of people around the world who are standing in solidarity to irradicate racism and hatred.
But this just the beginning. It will require a constant commitment to bringing a day where we are no more black, white or brown, just plain humans! Undoubtedly, this wedding is going down in the books of history as a wedding that brought change. The image and the video gave us chills to the bones. More power to this couple. Let’s make diversity and inclusiveness a way of living and let’s keep fighting for the change.
Feature Image Credit: @lindamcqueenphotography
