Silent Parade - Wikipedia

On July 28, 1917, the Silent Parade organised by James Weldon Johnson of 10,000 African-Americans who marched on 5th Ave in NYC to protest against lynching. From the article:

"In the midst of record heat[23] in New York City on July 28, an estimated 8,000 to 15,000 African Americans[24][25] marched in silent protest to the lynchings, as in Waco, Memphis, and especially the East St. Louis riots. The march began at 57th Street, down Fifth Avenue, to its end at 23rd Street.[23] Protesters carried signs that highlighted their discontent. Some signs and banners appealed directly to President Woodrow Wilson.[9] A mounted police escort led the parade. Women and children were next, dressed in white. They were followed by the men, dressed in black.[6][2] People of all races looked on from both sides of Fifth Avenue. The New York Age estimated that "fully fifteen thousand Negroes, who should have taken an active part, looked on."[23] Black boy scouts handed out fliers describing why they were marching.[17] During the parade, white people stopped to listen to black people explain the reasons for the march and other white bystanders expressed support and sympathy.[23] The parade marked the first large black-only protest parade in New York.[26]

The New York Times described it the following day:[24]

To the beat of muffled drums 8,000 negro men, women and children marched down Fifth Avenue yesterday in a parade of "silent protest against acts of discrimination and oppression" inflicted upon them in this country, and in other parts of the world. Without a shout or a cheer they made their cause known through many banners which they carried, calling attention to "Jim Crowism," segregation, disenfranchisement, and the riots of Waco, Memphis, and East St. Louis.

Media coverage of the march helped to counter the dehumanization of black people in the United States.[17] The parade and its coverage helped depict the NAACP as a "well-organized and mannerly group" and also helped increase its visibility both among white and black people alike.[27]

Marchers hoped to influence Democratic President Wilson to carry through on his election promises to African American voters to implement anti-lynching legislation and promote Black causes. Four days after the silent parade, black leaders involved in the protest, including Madame C.J. Walker, went to Washington D.C. for a planned appointment with the president.[28] The appointment was not kept, as the group of leaders were told that Wilson had "another appointment."[28] They left their petition for Wilson, which reminded him of African Americans serving in World War I and urged him to prevent riots and lynchings in the future.[28] Wilson did not do so and repudiated his promises. Federal discrimination against African Americans increased during Wilson's presidency."