George Floyd protests in Alaska explained

George Floyd protests in Alaska
Partof:George Floyd protests
Date:May 28 – June 6, 2020
Place:Alaska, United States
Causes:

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Alaska, United States. Protests occurred in at least thirteen various communities in the state.

Locations

Anchorage

Two peaceful demonstrations were held on May 30. A march, organized by a high school student via Instagram, began at Town Square. About a hundred protesters marched for about 45 minutes while chanting and holding signs.[3] A rally, organized separately and attended by hundreds of people, took place in midtown where pastors and community activists spoke in solidarity for justice.[4]

Bethel

On June 2, a crowd of over 100 residents gathered at the Bethel Cultural Center and peacefully protested the murder of George Floyd.[5] Protesters marched, carried signs and chanted, "I can't breathe" in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.[6]

Fairbanks

On May 30, over 400 peaceful protesters took part in a rally and march from Veteran's Memorial Park to Golden Heart Plaza organized by the Fairbanks NAACP and the statewide group Native Movement.[7]

Haines

On June 2, an event drew approximately 200 people, where a moment of silence lasting eight minutes and 46 seconds was held, among other activities.[8]

Homer

More than 80 people attended a gathering on June 1 and 40 additional people on the next day. One young mother, whose children were in attendance, held a sign that read "Mama", one of Floyd's last words. The event was held at Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith & Love Park on Pioneer Avenue.[9]

Juneau

On May 30, people held signs decrying violence against black people and calling out institutional racism, many supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.[10] June 6: Hundreds of vocal protesters gathered in Marine Park for a Black Lives Matter rally followed by a march to Douglas Bridge to drop flowers in the water.[11]

Ketchikan

Protesters demonstrated at the corner of Tongass Avenue and Jefferson Street on June 3.[10]

Kodiak

In Kodiak on June 4, dozens of people gathered, carrying signs and showing support for George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.[12]

Kotzebue

At least 20 people marched through Kotzebue on June 2.[10]

Nome

150 people gathered for a protest across from town hall on June 10.[13]

Palmer

1,400 people peacefully gathered and marched in the town's historic downtown on June 6 with a call to end racism and to protest the murder of George Floyd.[14]

Sitka

Around 250 local residents gathered in Totem Square on June 1, the attendees shared in a seven-minute moment of silence and two traditional songs of peace.[15]

Soldotna

On June 3, around 50 people gathered at Soldotna Creek Park and marched to the intersection at Sterling Highway and Kenai Spur Highway to demand justice for George Floyd.[16]

Utqiaġvik

People met at the whale bone arch near the Top of the World Hotel in Utqiaġvik on June 6 to protest the murder of Floyd and police brutality.[17] Protesters raised their fists in solidarity and observed a moment of silence for eight minutes. One of the organizers also expressed hope for police reform, including demilitarizing the police and banning the use of chokeholds such as the knee-on-neck choke.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation". Robertson. Nicky. May 30, 2020. CNN. en. May 30, 2020.
  2. News: Goldberg . Michelle . Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox . The New York Times . May 30, 2020 . May 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200530044312/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-protests-minneapolis.html . May 30, 2020 . live .
  3. Web site: As unrest sweeps through US, Anchorage rally organizers emphasize the power of working together. May 31, 2020. Anchorage Daily News.
  4. Web site: Death of George Floyd sparks solidarity rallies across Alaska. Mayowa . Aina . Rashah. McChesney. May 31, 2020. KTOO. en-US. May 31, 2020.
  5. Web site: Large Bethel Crowd Peacefully Protests Killing Of George Floyd. BASILE Basile. Katie. KYUK. June 3, 2020 . en. June 4, 2020.
  6. Web site:
    1. BLM protest Bethel, Alaska.
    . June 2, 2020. @RBMEllis. en. June 4, 2020.
  7. Web site: Hundreds gather in Fairbanks to protest peacefully in wake of George Floyd's death. Kyrie . Long . Erin. McGroarty. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. May 30, 2020 . en. May 31, 2020.
  8. Web site: solidarity in Haines, Alaska..tears, an 8 minute and 46 second grieving/prayer period..people speaking from the heart..approximately 200 people in attendance..most with masks..a moment in history that stuns..grateful our community pulled this together.. 6-2-20. June 2, 2020. @akmk. en. June 4, 2020.
  9. Web site: Locals organize multiple demonstrations on racial injustice. Pacer. Megan. Homer News. June 3, 2020 . en. June 4, 2020.
  10. Web site: From Kotzebue to Ketchikan, Alaskans protest the killing of George Floyd, calling for justice. KTOO. June 4, 2020 . en. June 4, 2020.
  11. Web site: 2020-06-06. Hundreds gather in Juneau for physical and virtual human rights rallies. 2020-06-08. Juneau Empire. en-US.
  12. Web site: We had a beautiful protest here in Kodiak and I got to give a speech Red heart. June 4, 2020. @sugpiaqsmile. en. June 4, 2020.
  13. Web site: Black Lives Matter Demonstration Draws Big Crowd In Nome . Nome Nugget . December 25, 2022 . June 19, 2020 . December 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225173326/https://nomenugget.com/news/black-lives-matter-demonstration-draws-big-crowd-nome . dead .
  14. News: Goodykoontz. Emily. Lester. Marc. Holmes. Loren. June 7, 2020. At large Palmer rally, demonstrators call for unity and stamping out racism in local communities. Anchorage Daily News. June 9, 2020.
  15. Web site: Sitkans honor George Floyd, join call for racial justice. KCAW. June 3, 2020 . en. June 4, 2020.
  16. Web site: Peninsula residents turn out for Black Lives Matter. Brian. Mazurek. Peninsula Clarion. June 3, 2020. March 9, 2022.
  17. Web site: Oliver . Shady Grove . 'We need real change': Arctic Alaska communities turn out for police brutality protests . Anchorage Daily News . June 10, 2020 . June 17, 2020.