In a historic moment described on Twitter as “surreal” and “remarkable,” thousands of protesters on Wednesday joined together, holding their cellphones in the air ― with the flashlights illuminated — to sing the late Bill Withers’ hit “Lean on Me”
Withers’ song appears to be becoming something of an anthem at anti-racism protests that have spread across the country following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.
Multiple videos of the heartwarming scene are now going viral on Twitter:
!!! Crowd of thousands outside the White House singing Lean On Me. This must be the closest we’ve come to a concert in months: pic.twitter.com/CzpQxwLQGs
— Rebecca Tan (@rebtanhs) June 4, 2020
What looting? What vandalism?
An endless sea of people singing Lean On Me lighting up the sky with their phones outside The White House. pic.twitter.com/pJ9NF9mtSI
— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) June 4, 2020
WATCH: A large group of protesters sang a rendition of "Lean on Me" last night during the sixth night of protests in D.C.
PHOTO GALLERY: https://t.co/fmX3O30HP7 pic.twitter.com/LMALZaXujU
— ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) June 4, 2020
Another remarkable visual:
Peaceful #GeorgeFloyd demonstrators here outside the White House are now sitting, phone lights on, singing “Lean On Me” — all while military and federal police stand in front of military vehicles guarding the White House. pic.twitter.com/IzqC8snoxB
— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) June 4, 2020
Beautiful!
