#MillionsMarch: Protesters Mobilize Against Police Killings in New York and Washington, DC

Hundreds of thousands of people mobilized across the US Saturday for the Millions March, a day of action to protest the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and others killed by police in recent months.

In Washington, DC, streams of protesters gathered outside the White House and then filled Pennsylvania Avenue, closing down the whole street and chanting. Black and white churches, synagogues, and mosques all joined in solidarity, and demonstrators from around the country made pilgrimages to join in the movement.

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One Washington Post reporter told VICE News he chose to step out from the sidelines and participate in Saturday's march because he wanted to show his son the historic day.

"I'm a journalist, but I wanted to be out here for [my son] to see the reality of the moment. He's only eight years old," the journalist, Hamil Harris, 54, told VICE News. "After a while, you start realizing that we should pay attention to some of this stuff, you know? So I volunteered to come out here today because it's so important to me."

A South African couple told VICE News they came to the the Millions March because it reminded them of their native country's anti-apartheid movement, and a group from North Carolina said they had made the journey to DC after constant disillusionment with America's race relations.

"I'm tired of seeing injustice, especially at the cost of young black lives," one North Carolina protester, Lauren, told VICE News. "God has given us every right to justice and liberty and it seems young black males get the short end of the stick, and it's not fair… America was founded on the belief that we are supposed to have liberty and justice for all, and that's not what we're seeing today. And America does need change."

Vendors also flooded the area to sell Black Lives Matter-themed shirts, buttons, and signs — which some protesters criticized as exploiting the situation. Some in the crowd also opposed the presence of Al Sharpton, one of the leaders of the DC march.

Young activists from#Ferguson just bum rushed the stage in DC pushing — Yusuf Ramadan (@AYR58)December 13, 2014

In New York, the Millions March set off at 2pm from Washington Square Park, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to parade through the city through the afternoon.

Powerful images coming in from — Alex Medina (@mrmedina)December 13, 2014

— Shawn Carrié (@shawncarrie)December 13, 2014

You can no longer expect me to raise my hands and lower my voice — Alice Speri (@alicesperi)December 13, 2014

It begins. — Nick Widzowski (@NickFromAstoria)December 13, 2014

Stand-up art of people lined in chalk at Washington Sq Pk for — StopMotionsolo (@StopMotionsolo)December 13, 2014

The front of the crowd of demonstrators on 5th Avenue and 12th Street. — Nicole Fuller (@nicolefuller)December 13, 2014

Today we march & demand the following:— Justice League NYC (@NYjusticeleague)December 13, 2014

NYPD cop involved in Eric Garner's death tells investigator he did not use a chokehold. Read more here.

Huge crowds also gathered in Boston outside the Massachusetts State House.

— Leslie #. Brown (@LeslieLKB)December 13, 2014

The protests stretched internationally, with members of Syria's opposition movement taking to the streets in solidarity with the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

— Holly Dagres (@hdagres)December 13, 2014

Several protesters in New York held signs connecting the anti-police violence movement in the US with causes in Palestine, Haiti, and Mexico.

Haiti at — Alice Speri (@alicesperi)December 13, 2014

The war on drugs is a genocide on black and brown bodies — Alice Speri (@alicesperi)December 13, 2014

Ferguson to Palestine — Alice Speri (@alicesperi)December 13, 2014

Organizers of the New York march estimated that 30,000 people attended. At one point, the massive display of activism converged with SantaCon — a Santa-costumed bar crawl — to the shock and amusement of people in the crowd.

The juxtaposition of people in Santa outfits & people in black on this Muni train is so surreal it's almost poetic — Broke-Ass Stuart (@BrokeAssStuart)December 13, 2014

Santa gets right- joins up with — Johanna Miller (@JohannaWithAnH)December 13, 2014

Suddenly surrounded by drunken Santas in mini skirts — Alice Speri (@alicesperi)December 13, 2014

But as night fell and the chants continued loudly, the overall tone in the crowd was somber — and determined.

All I want for Christmas…… — Lady Sneaker Addict (@28Stinni)December 13, 2014

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VICE News reporters Alice Speri and Ari Ratner contributed this report.

Follow Meredith Hoffman on Twitter: @merhoffman