BLM protesters leave their mark in Poway.

On August 27, San Diego’s chapter of Black Lives Matter held a protest in the Poway cul de sac that is home to San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit. The “black women and femmes” who directed the event decried patriarchy, capitalism, and the abuse of crime statistics, but their chief aim was to call for the resignation of Chief Nisleit and the seven police officers involved in the July 9 shooting of Richard Price. (During a standoff with police, Price picked up pointed what turned out to be a pellet gun, and the officers opened fire, killing him.) One protester repeatedly shouted that the officers murdered Price by shooting him 40 times while a supervisor instructed them to “kill the motherfucker already.”

“Y’all are bringing a gunfight to chalk,” she called to the many police gathered in the cul-de-sac. “We out here writing intentions.” Another woman encouraged attendees, “As we chalk the street here, put words of affirmation, like ‘live.’ They hate us. We have to love one another.” A few people responded, writing things like “Black trans women’s lives matter,” “We will live as much as you hate us,” “Justice today,” “Difference is possible,” and “Community can be the most revolutionary thing. Care for each other.”

Other chalked statements that issued a challenge to the neighbors, many of whom had stepped outside to observe the protest. “Fuck your peace.” “Your silence is racist.” “Join us or go the fuck home,” a woman called to them. “My people are being murdered in the street. You’re either on the right side of history or the wrong side. Come on over. We are not a zoo. You all love watching black pain. All these pretty houses where no black folks live are the result of redlining. Must be nice. Run me my reparation check so I can live next to these white folks and scare the shit out of them.”

More chalkings attacked the police. “Blue lives don’t exist. It’s a shirt. Get over yourselves.” “The police are the biggest gang in this country.” “Y’all should have just finished high school.” “SDPD = Terrorists/killers.” The woman shouted, “Police come from protecting capital and property. They were slave patrols. They were never created to protect people. We see folks of color on the police force. Put down your badge. You can do better.”

Many other chalkings were more aggressive. “Don’t be shy David, quit your job. Then tell your wife to call me ;) The lesbians would show her a good time.” “Oink oink, bitch. Abolish pigs.” “How do you spell ugly pissboy? SDPD.” “Chief Nipslip guzzles kkkop cum.” “You’re the load your momma should have swallowed.” “White supremacists/cops 4 the guillotine.” “Murderer lives here.”

“And yeah, so what Chief Nisleit isn’t here?” asked the woman on her livestream. “He gonna come home to all this chalk. He gonna come home to know that we know where he live at. And we could be here every night, asking for his resignation.”