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George Floyd rally planned in Savannah

Court Square at the Hardin County Courthouse in downtown Savannah

UPDATE– For video of the event, go to: https://www.facebook.com/CourierAnywhere/

INITIAL STORY– A rally is planned in Savannah Friday afternoon following the death of George Floyd in a violent encounter with Minneapolis police.
In a statement, the Savannah Police Department said it is “aware of a planned peaceful protest… around 5 p.m. on the Court Square in downtown Savannah. The Savannah Police Department supports all citizens’ First Amendment right to peacefully redress the government, and stand in protest of injustices. All members of the Savannah Police Department swore an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, and therefore will work diligently to ensure that the right to a peaceful protest is not infringed upon.”
At least four downtown Savannah businesses are closed today as the time for the expected rally approaches, including one which cleared out its inventory. Others are closing early.
Across the U.S., rallies and protests – some of which devolved into violent riots – have occurred since Floyd’s death on May 25. Video of the incident shows Floyd, a black man handcuffed face down, pleading that he can’t breathe as a white officer presses his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Two independent autopsies found Floyd’s death to be a homicide. The Minneapolis police chief fired all four officers involved, who had responded to a complaint from a business that Floyd tried to pass a fake $20 bill.
One of the former officers is now charged with second degree murder and three are facing charges of aiding and abetting second degree murder.
“We watched a murder on TV. If you don’t see something wrong with that, something is wrong with you,” said one downtown Savannah merchant.
The Savannah Police Department said also in the statement that although there are “uneasy feelings” in the local community, “we fully anticipate a peaceful event that could serve as a catalyst of unity within our city. Our officers will be in the area, along with officers from the Hardin County Sheriff Department, to help ensure both the safety of those participating in the event, but also the safety of those in neighboring areas.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said it will have troopers in the area.
The city police department said also that “there may be some who stand in opposition to this event, and we humbly ask and ardently discourage those individuals from attending in order to maintain civility, formality, and allow those in attendance to peacefully protest.”

5 Comments

  1. Rebecca Adams on June 5, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    A couple of days ago several of us warned this was happening in Savannah and we were made fun of, but here it is. No one wants to deny anyone the right to peacefully protest but this is our home and the keyword here is peacefully. I am sure all of my fellow citizens will join me in hoping for a civilized gathering of peaceful protesters in this beautiful city of ours.

  2. Emelenepigg on June 5, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    I pray for a safety protest we are all human Amen.

  3. JonathanHallett on June 5, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    This would have never happened if officers were more responsible for what they do as officers. It means that every officer should know what to do when it comes to policing. I really don’t think that all the officers in the world really know what they are doing. I just want to say if we can’t all have good police? Then we might have the martial law everywhere. And I don’t think that y’all want that is really not ok. It’s not about the race u are. We are all in this together. Let’s just make this a peaceful world with no protests or riots and stuff like that. I get that not all people will listen to this but hopefully the police of Savannah Tennessee will listen. If they were not here in Savannah Tennessee we would all be wild. Last thing thanks to our men and women who make this world a great place if they didn’t serve right now we would not be able to have the things we want or could ever have. If you want to know more I will send more in or y’all can just text me at +17316073071

  4. Pat Ainsley on June 5, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    Very Peaceful what I saw. Our Law Enforcers did a very good job. I am a Big Supporter of our Law enforcement. City, County and State. I am a Veteran/USMC . I believe in equal rights to ALL, And I mean ALL. The only way WE can stop Racism,Hate,Volence , His Name Is JESUS. Not politics, only one man,,, Jesus.

  5. Linda Banks on June 7, 2020 at 9:21 am

    My heart has been torn for the past few days, it was horrible to see what happened to George Floyd I see in the riots, people are there for another reason to lute and destroy, they need to be identified and jailed. I cried when I saw that man beg them not to burn his business down. But they did. The 75 year old man and lady that were thrown to the grown by the police was horrible. The remark by a
    person I know said at their age they should have known better, shame on him. May God make his presence known, get on your knees and pray for peace for our nation. God Bless all.

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