George Floyd protests in Louisiana explained

George Floyd protests in Louisiana
Partof:	George Floyd protests
Date:	May 28 – September 2020
Place:	Louisiana, United States
Causes:	Police brutality Institutional racism against African Americans^[1] ^[2] Reaction to the murder of George Floyd Economic, racial and social inequality

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Louisiana, United States.

Locations

Alexandria

On May 31, dozens of protesters walked peacefully through downtown Alexandria chanting for "justice, peace, and equality."^[3] On June 2, another crowd held a protest at the Rapides Parish Courthouse, and on June 3, several hundred protesters marched to the Alexandria Public Safety Complex.^[4]

Baton Rouge

On May 30, a vigil was held at a church.^[5] May 31: hundreds marched to the Louisiana State Capitol building.^[6] Additional protests took place on Siegen Lane on the evenings of May 31, June 1, and June 2.^{[7] [8] [9]}

Houma

On May 31, 66 protesters gathered at the Terrebonne Courthouse Square and peacefully demonstrated against police killings for three hours.^[10]

Lafayette

On May 31, several hundred people peacefully protested at a rally held at the corner of University Avenue and Johnston Street by the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.^[11] After listening to speeches in Girard Hall, the crowd lined the sidewalks for a demonstration before marching to the Lafayette police station at the end of University Avenue.^[12]

Lake Charles

On May 31, about 300 people attended a peaceful protest rally at the corner of Broad Street and Enterprise Boulevard.^[13]

Metairie

Around two dozen people demonstrated on June 12.^[14]

Monroe

On May 31, hundreds of people gathered peacefully for a rally at the Monroe Civic Center, organized by the local NAACP chapter. After hearing some speeches, about half of the attendees left on an unplanned march through the downtown area and in front of the Ouachita Parish Courthouse.^[15]

New Iberia

On May 30, a small, peaceful protest took place in the evening at the corner of Lombard and Hopkins Streets.^[16]

New Orleans

• May 29: about 50 people protested at the intersection of North Claiborne and Esplanade Avenues; the demonstration continued for several hours.^{[17] [18]}
• May 30: three separate demonstrations took place: the first at the same North Claiborne and Esplanade Avenues location, the second one at noon which had over 1,000 people peacefully protest and march to the police headquarters, and the third and final occurred at Duncan Plaza with equal numbers to the noon really.^[19]
• May 31: around 100 gathered to pray and stand in solidarity.^[20]
• June 2: Hundreds of protesters blocked I-10 near Canal Street. The police broadcast supportive messages on a megaphone.^[21] The protests were declared peaceful for three days in a row.^[22]
• June 3: Hundreds of protesters walked up the Crescent City Connection and met a police blockade stopping the protests from crossing the river.^[23] After an hour and warnings to remove themselves, the NOPD eventually shot tear gas and rubber balls on the protesters, which included children.^[24]
• June 5: Thousands of protesters gathered at Jackson Square in support of #BlackLivesMatters, calls to defund the police, end U.S. imperialism and Capitalism, and demanded the removal of the statue of Andrew Jackson, citing his Native American removal policies.^[23]
• June 6: Despite the concerns of Tropical Storm Cristobal, hundreds of protesters met at City Park to demand justice for George Floyd and against police brutality and marched down Esplanade Avenue to the First District Police Station and the site of the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel.^[25]
• June–September, 2020: The Kneeling for 9 Minutes movement has held nightly vigils at 6pm every night since June in several locations. As of September 1st, the group was kneeling at Oak Street at Carrollton Avenue (6 p.m. daily), Magazine Street at Napoleon Avenue (6 p.m. daily), 4527 Annette St. (6 p.m. daily), 2372 St. Claude Ave. (6 p.m. daily), the Riverfront at Woldenberg Park in the Central Business District (every Friday at 6 p.m.), Bonnabel Boulevard at Metairie Road (every Sunday at 6 p.m.). The nightly vigils are scheduled to continue through the November presidential election with future discussions planned surrounding how the groups will move forward with advocacy afterwards, whether in the same and/or different forms.^{[26] [27]}

Shreveport

On Sunday, May 31, 300 to 500 people marched from the Shreveport Police Department headquarters to the Caddo Parish District Courthouse, where they listened to several speakers before marching back to the starting place. The protest was peaceful, and Shreveport police escorted the marchers on their route, closing off side streets as the marchers passed by.^[28]

Winnsboro

On June 4, a peaceful protest took place across the street from the Winnsboro Police Department. The event was organized by the activist groups Project Change and Citizens for Change.^[29]

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. News: King . Faith . Cenla residents join in Alexandria for peaceful protest . June 1, 2020 . KALB-TV . May 31, 2020.
4. Web site: Peaceful events in Alexandria protest police brutality, black killings. Melissa. Gregory. The Town Talk. June 2, 2020. June 18, 2020.
5. Web site: Protests in New Orleans, Baton Rouge over death of George Floyd. May 30, 2020. KATC. en. June 1, 2020.
6. Web site: George Floyd protest in Baton Rouge: See photos, videos of peaceful march. Staff report. The Advocate. May 31, 2020 . en. June 1, 2020.
7. Web site: After peaceful start, protesters block Siegen and East Baton Rouge deputies arrive in riot gear. Staff report. The Advocate. May 31, 2020 . en. June 1, 2020.
8. Web site: Photos: Hundreds of Baton Rouge protesters return to Siegen Lane for peaceful march Monday night. Staff report. The Advocate. June 2020 . en. June 2, 2020.
9. Web site: 'Hear us. See us': Protests against police brutality continue along Siegen Lane. Skene. Lea. The Advocate. June 2, 2020 . en. June 3, 2020.
10. Web site: Protest in downtown Houma stays peaceful. Colin. Campo. The Houma Courier. May 31, 2020. June 20, 2020.
11. News: Potter . William Taylor . See crowds, reaction to Lafayette protest Sunday of death of George Floyd in Minneapolis . June 1, 2020 . Lafayette Daily Advertiser . May 31, 2020.
12. News: Manuel . Katherine . South Louisiana Joins in Protests against Brutality . June 2, 2020 . St. Mary Now & Franklin Banner-Tribune . June 1, 2020.
13. News: Deaville . Patrick . Protesters rally in Lake Charles following death of George Floyd . June 1, 2020 . KPLC News . May 31, 2020.
14. Web site: Desselle . Sherman . Local teen organizes peaceful protest in Jefferson Parish . WDSU . April 24, 2024 . June 13, 2020.
15. News: Wells . Reggie . Hundreds gather for Monroe peaceful protests in support of George Floyd . June 2, 2020 . KNOE News . May 31, 2020.
16. News: Weekend peaceful protest planned in New Iberia and Lafayette in honor of George Floyd . June 1, 2020 . KLYF News . May 30, 2020.
17. Web site: Dozens Gather At Claiborne And Esplanade To Protest Police Violence And George Floyd's Killing. Ashley. Dean. wwno.org. May 29, 2020 .
18. Web site: Protesters in New Orleans, Louisiana law enforcement leaders condemn Minneapolis police killing. BRYN . STOLE . NOLA.com. May 29, 2020 . en. May 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200530222429/https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_111f8072-a208-11ea-8c01-6b8e11d0e275.html. May 30, 2020. live.
19. Web site: New Orleans demonstrators peacefully protest George Floyd's death. Mozzone. Katherine. May 31, 2020 . en-US. May 31, 2020.
20. Web site: New Orleans protesters remain peaceful, some pray in response to George Floyd's death. wwltv.com. June 2020 . en-US. June 2, 2020.
21. Web site: Massive protest on I-10 in New Orleans remains peaceful, no arrests made; police take knee in solidarity. June 3, 2020. wwltv.com. June 3, 2020 . en-US.
22. Web site: June 3, 2020. New Orleans police chief, City Hall welcome peaceful protests; warn against outside agitators. June 3, 2020. WDSU. en.
23. Web site: 2020-06-04. NOPD fires tear gas on protesters trying to cross bridge. 2020-06-09. Times Union. en-US.
24. Web site: NOPD did use 'rubber balls' on protesters along with tear gas during CCC confrontation. 2020-06-09. wwltv.com. June 8, 2020 . en-US.
25. Web site: writer. KATY RECKDAHL Contributing. Protests continue Saturday in New Orleans with march against police brutality at City Park. 2020-06-09. NOLA.com. June 6, 2020 . en.
26. Web site: Barnett. Camille. Neighbors hold nightly vigils in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. 2020-09-04. Uptown Messenger. en-US. September 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200904043935/https://uptownmessenger.com/2020/09/neighbors-hold-nightly-vigils-in-solidarity-for-black-lives-matter/. dead.
27. Web site: Prijatel. Francis. New Orleans residents hold daily silent vigil and take a knee for George Floyd. 2020-09-04. fox8live.com. June 21, 2020 . en-US.
28. News: Enfinger . Emily . Hundreds participate in Black Lives Matter march and demonstration held Sunday . May 31, 2020 . Shreveport Times . May 31, 2020.
29. Web site: Winnsboro peaceful protest; violence prohibited. WVLA-TV. June 5, 2020. June 8, 2020.