EVANSVILLE, Ind. — About 200 or more local protesters on Wednesday raised their voices against nationwide police brutality against African-Americans and the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man by Minneapolis police last week.
Wednesday's peaceful protest began as an outgrowth of the anti-violence rally in Downtown Evansville from Saturday.
It started at noon when several dozen people gathered in front of the WEVV 44 television station Downtown. Protesters were upset about what they said was inaccurate coverage by WEVV of violence at protests Saturday.
However, Wednesday's rally quickly grew in size and evolved into a protest against police violence, racism and injustice.
A group of more than 500 protested peacefully on Evansville's Riverfront Saturday. A much smaller group has continued to gather there each day since.
Protests, some peaceful and some violent, have been erupting all over the country since the death of Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. That officer has been charged with murder in connection with his death, and Wednesday three other officers present were charged with aiding and abetting murder. All four have been fired.
More: Small crowd of protesters gathered in Evansville Monday amid atmosphere of unity
More: Evansville anti-violence rally aims to remember George Floyd, fight for justice peacefully
“I know this isn’t Minneapolis; this isn't Louisville. But that doesn't mean Evansville shouldn't stand with the rest of the country," protester HarMonee Baltzell said.
The protest was organized via social media in the last two days.
Michaiah Williams was wearing a shirt that said, "Say the names." Written on it were dozens of names of people Williams said died due to police brutality.
"We're sick of it," Williams said. "We're tired of it. I shouldn't have to wake up every single day and hear about another black life that died."
Larry Pope, 63, said he came down to address the group after finding out about the protest. He said he was encouraged by the young age of many of the protesters.
"Who's going to hear us if we don't do what we're doing today? You guys are going to help me change the system," he said to protesters in front of the television station.
After two hours at the television station, protesters marched several blocks past the Civic Center and Evansville Police Department headquarters to the Vanderburgh County courthouse steps where the rally continued peacefully.
Throughout the rally some of the slogans shouted included: "Black lives matter," "No justice, no peace," "They serve us, we pay them," "End police brutality," and "Silence is violence."
On Wednesday, there no police were present at the protest in front of WEVV and there was no noticeable law enforcement presence for the protest at the Civic Center. The crowd began to disperse on their own at about 3:15 p.m. after several hours in the heat.
Three adults and one juvenile on Saturday were arrested on various charges, including battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.
The Evansville Police Department said that an escalation occurred at the Civic Center on Saturday when two of the protesters crossed over the line in what police spokesman Sgt. Nick Winsett said was "an attempt to provoke officers" and that objects were being thrown at officers and their horses.
However, protesters on Saturday and again on Wednesday disputed that description of events and said the incident was started by police.
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More than 200 peacefully protest in front of Evansville TV station, courthouse - Courier & Press
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