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Men mock George Floyd's death during Black Lives Matter protest in Franklinville

Two men in Gloucester County are facing disciplinary action after a now viral video mocks the death of George Floyd in the Franklinville section of Franklin Township. News 12 spoke with the man who recorded the video.

News 12 Staff

Jun 10, 2020, 3:12 PM

Updated 1,683 days ago

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Two men in Gloucester County are facing disciplinary action after a now viral video mocks the death of George Floyd in the Franklinville section of Franklin Township. News 12 spoke with the man who recorded the video.
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“As we were saying black lives matter, they were saying no they don't,” says Russel Sampson, who was part of the group of demonstrators protesting Monday in Franklinville.
“I believe that these gentlemen deserve the audience that they wanted,” says Sampson.
The 32-year-old’s family history in Franklinville goes back to the 1950s, and in those decades, he says they've experienced racism. But watching this right in front of him, he just couldn’t believe.

“But for everyone to witness this gentleman's knee on someone's neck, I don't think that was anything that we could have prepared for, you never think that that kind of hatred is in your very backyard, but it's very real,” says Sampson.

In response, Gov. Phil Murphy said, “Mocking George Floyd's murder in an effort to belittle the calls for justice from our black and brown communities is repugnant. We won't let the actions of a few distract from our progress toward dismantling systemic racism."

The kneeling man has been fired from his job with FedEx, and another seen filming in the video is a correctional officer, and has been suspended.
“These are not individuals that are walking around in a white mask and white robe burning crosses in your backyard,” says Sampson. “I know they are working as a police correction officers.”
News 12 was able to confirm Joesph Demarco was the officer involved in the video, and have received tips that another officer is too. News 12 is still waiting for the Department of Corrections to confirm that.
The protesters say this moment did not discourage them, and they will be protesting again Saturday.