“Hear Us”: Protesters Line the Streets in the Wake of George Floyd’s Death

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  • A woman cheers at a Black Lives Matter Protest in northeast Oklahoma City on May 31. The gathering was prompted by the killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota. (Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch)
    A woman cheers at a Black Lives Matter Protest in northeast Oklahoma City on May 31. The gathering was prompted by the killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota. (Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch)
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On May 31 around 2:30 p.m. the Black Lives Matter-OKC organized a rally at the corner of Northeast 36th Street and Kelley Avenue, where thousands of people gathered and peacefully protested in response to George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a 46-year-old African American died after being arrested outside a shop in Minneapolis, MN May 25. One of the arresting officers Derek Chauvin, placed his knee on Floyd’s neck until he stopped breathing. Chauvin was fired after a police command investigation the next day. On May 29, Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

“Today we are here… to demand justice,” Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City director Sheri Dickerson said. “Not only what inspired this latest surge of outrage about what happened with Mr. Floyd, but to also remember that we have had so many various situations right here in Oklahoma.”

In the beginning, the rally was peaceful. All the protesters walked around holding posters while chanting and spreading love. Thereafter, protesters made their way up Kelley Avenue, marching to the Capitol building while gathering around the stairs and lawn. They began to chant ‘no justice, no peace’… ‘say his name, George Floyd’… ‘hands up don’t shoot,’ and ‘I can’t breathe.’ Then after the protesters had a non-threating conversation with the police on the scene, shaking hands and becoming acquainted with one another. The police had barriers set up isolating themselves from the protesters just in case violence broke out. The officers would come to the blockade and shake the hands of the protesters, talk and peacefully interact with anyone ready to do so. At that point, the protesters got down onto one knee and started reciting, ‘take a knee,’ some of the others that arranged the blockade strolled to it and took a knee in solidarity with the protesters.

Tension erupted after nightfall when protesters started to throw objects at local buildings, breaking the front glass at the Bob Moore building. Police officers quickly responded to prevent further damage by using tear gas.

“I never disparage my community members for choosing however they decide they want to express themselves, however, this was not something that was promoted by us. It certainly was not condoned by the Black Lives Matter-OKC chapter,” Dickerson said. “However, we totally support those standing in protest and lifting their voices.”

Soon after Mayor David Holt issued a state of emergency and set a curfew that went into effect at 10 p.m. The curfew for parts of downtown Oklahoma was in effect until 5 a.m. June 2 between Northwest Fourth Street on the north, Harvey Avenue on the east, Sheridan Avenue on the south and Classen Boulevard on the west.

Black Lives Matter-OKC held a news conference June 1, for a list of demands asking for change and calling out city leaders to act immediately concerning police violence in the news recently. Here are the demands: An apology from Police Chief Wade Gourley and Mayor David Holt and the immediate resignation of Gourley, whose lack of leadership resulted in aggressive actions by the police toward peaceful protesters, escalating tensions and resulting in violence that could have been avoided. The immediate release without charges of all incarcerated protesters who were arrested for nonviolent offenses or resisting arrest while defending themselves or their loved ones from unlawful use of excessive force by Oklahoma City police and the sheriff. Disciplinary action and termination be taken against all police officers who violently attacked peaceful protesters. The immediate installation of an independent citizens’ complaint review board for the OKC PD, which will have authority to review all complaints, including use of force and discipline offending officers. Mayor Holt meet with us within 24 hours. Provision of training in de-escalation tactics for all OCPD officers, which must include training in interactions with persons who have mental health issues as well as training that includes cultural sensitivity. The immediate public release of the arrest record of Olain Jefferson Jr. and body cam footage of all police involved in his arrest. The immediate public release of all video footage of the Oklahoma City Police Department incident involving and resulting in the death of Derrick Ollie Sr. The arrest and prosecution of the man who identified himself as the president of a northeast Oklahoma City neighborhood's homeowner’s association for the kidnapping and illegal confinement of Travis Miller. Justice for the family of Elray Barber who was shot and killed by Oklahoma City police officers on Christmas Eve 2019. Justice for Rolana Keeler who was shot by Oklahoma City police officers on Christmas Eve 2019 while unarmed. Mayor Holt commit to the construction of a grocery store on the east side of Oklahoma City to be completed within six months. The granting of clemency and immediate release of wrongfully charged member of our community, Julius Jones, by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Black Lives Matter-OKC chapter has announced another protest at 1 p.m. June 23 on 900 N Stiles Ave Oklahoma City. The protesters will join around Stiles circle park then will proceed to walk to the Capitol building, where it will end with a rally.

Lakeria Kelley can be reached at Intern@WatongaRepublican.com