I shot these pictures at "Wear Black 2001", an event organized by Refuse and Resist to protest police brutality.

Members of R&R and other marchers gathered at Kapi'olani Park. That’s Liz Green at the front of the photo. The guy in the middle of the photo showed up with his own agenda, waving a pro-American flag supporting his son who is fighting in Afghanistan.

The marchers paraded on Kalakaua Ave. They chanted and screamed about police brutality. The onlookers were unwelcoming. Tourists and street musicians retorted by either telling them to shut up or get out of the way. At one point a security guard attacked one of the protesters. A table of senior citizens laughed.

It was definitely strange times. Just after 9/11, the world on the verge of a possible world war, folks all over the US were paranoid and eager to prove their patriotism.

Eric Alcantara, 2001