This past weekend hundreds converged on Cleveland* State University to attend what organizers have called the first major convening about the movement to stop police and extrajudicial violence against black people.

The Movement for Black Lives National Convening—hashtag M4BL—was sponsored by a number of local and national groups: Black Lives Matter, BYP100, Ferguson Action, Cleveland Action, Million Hoodies, Ohio Student Association, Organization for Black Struggle, Project South and Southerners on a New Ground.

Most panels, plenaries and workshops centered on how to understand, react to, organize against and eliminate racialized police and extrajudicial violence. Family members of black people killed by state sanctioned violence were on hand to share their experiences; among them was Uncle Bobby, uncle of Oscar Grant, Michael Brown Sr., Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, Amberly Carter, cousin of Emmett Till, Andrew Joseph Jr., father of 14 year old Andrew Joseph III, and Martinez Sutton, brother of Rekia Boyd.

M4BL also included programming about intersecting issues including systemic racism, immigration, and panels, such as one facilitated by Uncle Bobby titled, “Justifiable Homicide: Building a Movement with the Families affected by State Sanctioned Violence.” A widespread movement for justice regarding police Terrorism is underway in America, and the testimonies of injustice are what fuel it. These are important and deeply moving testimonies. When testimonies of injustice remain untold and unheard, patterns of injustice go unrecognized and unopposed. Having these testimonies on record is therefore essential to the struggle for justice. The police who commit these acts of violence and terror are part of a system that not only protects them, but can often intimidate their victims into silence. The act of telling these testimonies is an act of defiance that can be liberating for the person who tells it. Additional Information Track: Cleveland Name: Cephus “Uncle Bobby” (Oscar Grant Uncle) Johnson Organization: Love Not Blood Campaign Format of Workshop: Panel discussion and training with questions from the audience Workshop geared towards: Everyone in the movement Description of the topic and takeaways: Cornel West, co-founder of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network, says, “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” Bringing your story of injustice to the public eye provides the possibility that it can be part of a much grander story of justice. Michelle Alexander says, “it is important that these stories are brought to the light of day; these families experiences be given voice” Carl Dix says, “is important that families tell their stories so that people know that these things are happening and helps them question why, and what kind of a system does this to people and allows it to happen?” The Take away: Understanding the pain and struggle families face when confronted with State violence. Increased understanding on how to work with families in the movement for justice. Increased empathy to become involved to stop State violence Who will be leading/participating: Salih Muhammad — Facilitator Thenjiwe McHarris– US Human Rights Commission Uncle Bobby — Oscar Grant Uncle Kerry Downs — James Rivera Father Dionne Smith — James Rivera Mother Wanda Johnson — Oscar Grant Mother Martinez Sutton — Rekia Boyd brother Airickca Gordon — Emmett Till cousin Qualifications for running the workshop: Love Not Blood Campaign has worked with Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, kenneth chamberlain, Ramarley Graham, Allan Blueford, and most national families affected by state violence. In working with these families, Love Not Blood Campaign has built bonding between families across the US. In May, at the Left Forum, The Love Not Blood Campaign convene a panel with 7 national fathers affected by state violence. These fathers included, Uncle Bobby-Oscar Grant Uncle; Ron Davis-Jordan Davis father; Michael Brown Sr- Michael Brown Jr father; Kenneth Chamberlain Jr-Kenneth Chamberlain Sr son; Kenneth Johnson-Kendrick Johnson father; Andrew Joseph Jr- Andrew Joseph III father. Last October 2014, Love Not Blood Campaign sponsored an event where Jordan Davis family, Emmett Till family, Marlon Brown family, Kendrick Johnson family, Andrew Joseph family, George Kemp Jr, and others families came together to build relationship and find strength in each other to continue the fight for justice. This list does not include the numerous families in the State of California where we resides.

Award winning photographer Layalah Ammatullah Barrayn captured moments of joy and pain at the historic convening. See some of her work below.