Protest over the death of George Floyd planned in Sacramento

Members of the Sacramento community will gather Friday evening to protest the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis Monday after being detained by police. His death has roiled people across the country and spurred peaceful protests and turbulent riots.

Organized by Black Lives Matter Sacramento, a local protest is planned for 6 p.m. in Oak Park Market at 3300 12th Ave.

“Occupy space with us Friday evening!,” the group said on Facebook. “We will be showing solidarity with our comrades on the ground in Minneapolis fighting for justice for #GeorgeFloyd.”

Floyd died Monday after being detained by four Minneapolis police officers on suspicion of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. In a viral cell phone video of the incident, an officer is seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck while he repeatedly says “I can’t breathe.”

The Sacramento protest is at least the second in the region this week. A protest occurred Wednesday in south Sacramento near 65th Street and was peaceful, though protesters did block some lanes of traffic.

Protests in Los Angeles and Minneapolis have escalated to violence. In L.A., protesters damaged at least two CHP patrol vehicles while trying to block lanes of Highway 101. And in Minneapolis, the governor has called in the National Guard after a Target store was looted. And on Thursday night, an angry crowd broke into a Minneapolis police station and set fire to it.

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 10:47 AM.