New Yorkers banded together last night to protest George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
They held signs, chanted Floyd’s last words “I can’t breathe,” and demanded that justice be served. The groups joined others around the country who are protesting police brutality toward African Americans, after an unarmed man, George Floyd, was killed in Minneapolis by a police officer who held his knee against his neck.
Though the large gatherings could be considered breaking social distancing rules, Governor Cuomo said during his daily press conference today that he was “with the protestors.” From photo and video evidence, protestors are wearing face masks and other forms of PPE. Still, there has been a huge police presence at all events thus far, and Gothamist even reported that 72 protestors were arrested last night.
There is a vigil taking place right now at Foley Square, and another protest planned for 6pm tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Organizers of tonight’s rally, Freedom Arts Movement, have said “Be safe, bring ppe, keep a good pace, follow the leaders, there is a plan and we will be escalating.” Photos on Twitter have already shown an increased police presence:
Two hours ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest for George Floyd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, there’s already a fairly significant NYPD presence.
Across the street at Target, workers are boarding up the street-level entrance with plywood. pic.twitter.com/C37yxxhBJ0
— Noah Hurowitz (@NoahHurowitz) May 29, 2020
According to information shared on social media, there are more planned for Saturday, May 30 at Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at 125th street in Harlem, and on Tuesday, June 2 at 1 Police Plaza downtown.
Saturday, May 30th https://t.co/vFtjiM0zqv
— nika (@MIKROKOSMlN) May 29, 2020
featured image source: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com