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Ieshia Evans protests the shooting death of Alton Sterling before being detained by law enforcement near the headquarters of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Picture: Jonathan Bachman
THE image of her resolute defiance in the face of the heavily armed officers has been described as “legendary†and “powerfulâ€, but Ieshia Evans has a simpler definition.
It’s the work of God.
Identified as Ieshia Evans, the woman who made headlines after she was confronted by armed police officers dressed in riot gear during a peaceful protest in Baton Rouge, says her arrest was the “work of Godâ€.
“I just need you people to know. I appreciate the well wishes and love, but this is the work of God,†Ms Evans posted to her Facebook page.
“I am a vessel! Glory to the most high! I’m glad I’m alive and safe.â€
After she spent the night in jail, where she was arrested by Baton Rouge police, the 28-year-old told friends she had “been through a lot†and she was desperate to “get home to my sonâ€.
Ms Evans has a five-year-old son and left him with his father because she “wanted to look her son in the eyes to tell him she fought for his freedom and rights,†a friend told Reuters.
Ieshia Evans is grabbed by police officers in riot gear after she refused to leave the motorway in front of the Baton Rouge Police Department Headquarters in Baton Rouge. Picture: Max BechererSource:AP
The image of Baton Rouge Police officers dressed in riot gear confronting Ms Evans, who is wearing a summer dress and standing firmly but calmly on the road, has become a powerful symbol of the conflict that is tearing America apart.
Photographer Jonathan Bachman who took the photo while working for Reuters, told Buzzfeed that protesters were blocking traffic on a highway when officers dressed in full riot gear showed up and told them to move to the footpath.
Ms Evans was one protester who refused to budge.
“She just stood there and made her stand. I was just happy to be able to capture something like that,†Bachman said.
Tensions between black citizens and police rose over the past week or so amid police shootings of African-American men in Minnesota and Louisiana, and the gunning down of five white police officers by 25-year-old Micah Johnson in Dallas in apparent retaliation.
During the protest outside Baton Rouge police headquarters on Saturday, nearly 1000 people protested, leading to the arrest of almost 100 people.