Hundreds gathered in solidarity Saturday in Newark to denounce the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, whose death while in police custody has sparked protests against police brutality across the nation.
Video of Floyd’s arrest has been widely seen. The 46-year-old black man was handcuffed and face down while a white police officer had him pinned down by his neck for about eight minutes. Four officers were fired over the incident, and one, Derek Chauvin, was charged with murder and manslaughter.
"We're in a fight for our life,” said Yvonne Braime, of People Come Together.
Peaceful protests begin at Newark City Hall on Saturday morning, which moved to a location outside of the Essex County Courthouse by the afternoon.
"We just want to stand and gather and have a peaceful protest and not burn our community, not burn buildings. This is still our city that we live at,” says Ameer Castleberry, a Newark resident.
The protest has continued as hundreds marched to the federal building in Newark, shouting their demands along the way.
"When the day is through, the account written of our gathering today will be one that we can be proud of. Power to the people," said Lawrence Hamm, of The People's Organization for Progress.
Despite an 8 p.m. curfew, there were protesters still outside the 1st Precinct near 17th Avenue and Livingston Avenue. It has remained mostly peaceful. Glass in the front of the precinct was cracked, but it was not clear what happened.
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