Music in protest: 9 powerful images of music’s role in times of conflict
5 June 2020, 21:38 | Updated: 5 June 2020, 21:43
In times when people have risen up against injustice, fought oppression, and expressed their will, music has always been there. Here are moments when it helped give a voice.
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Detroit, Michigan. 3 June 2020
Trumpeter at a demonstration following the death of George Floyd.
Read more: Musicians protest against George Floyd’s death and police brutality >
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Kiev, Ukraine. December 2013
An unnamed pianist plays Chopin in Kiev's main square. Just days before, security forces had violently removed protesters in a night-time assault.
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Hong Kong. 29 September 2014
Musicians play on the streets of their city, in support of the Occupy Hong Kong protests.
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Baltimore, Maryland. 29 April 2015
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra play on the street outside their concert hall, during protests for Freddie Gray, who died in police custody.
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Greece-Macedonia border. 2015
Syrian refugee Rami Basisah plays his violin on the Greece-Macedonia border.
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Bogota, Colombia. 27 November 2019
Musicians play as part of protests against President Duque in Colombia's capital.
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Istanbul, Turkey. 15 June 2013
A cellist plays during the pro-freedom of speech Gezi Park protests.
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Caracas, Venezuela. 24 May 2017
A violinist stands in front of an armoured vehicle and water cannon, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in the Venezuelan capital.
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Berlin, Germany. 11 November 1989
Two days after the official fall of the Berlin Wall, cellist Mstislav Rostropovich plays Bach's Cello Suites at the frontier.