DETROIT – Since the killing of George Floyd, demonstrators have been gathering in Metro Detroit and across the country to protest social injustice and police brutality.
Floyd, a Black Minneapolis man, was killed on May 25 by a police officer that knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and laying on the ground.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder. Other officers involved have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. All officers have been fired.
READ: Former Detroit police chief says Minneapolis Police Department ‘has some serious problems’
Detroit has officially done away with its curfew. Monday’s march is similar to previous marches. The demonstrations have been nonviolent for the last seven days.
Tristan Taylor, with the group “Detroit Will Breathe,” will meet with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit police Chief James Craig on Tuesday.
Taylor has momentum on his side. The marches have had consistent participation.
On Monday, the demonstration took things to a new emotional level when they marched to the site of the Old Algiers Motel where police shot and killed three Black teen boys during the 1967 riots.
Veteran Detroit activists told stories and praised the work the protesters are doing now.