June 1, 2020 By Christian Murray
Demonstrators came out in Queens over the weekend to voice their anger over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
Hundreds took to the streets of Jackson Heights Saturday in a protest that formed in Diversity Plaza. Protesters in Jackson Heights chanted “black lives matter, black lives matter” and
“no justice, no peace,” as they made their way to the 115th NYPD Precinct house on Northern Boulevard.
The demonstration, while at times tense, was without incident–unlike the raucous protests that took place outside the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn and in Foley Square in Manhattan.
This video was shared with us by a Jackson Heights resident. Showing one of the peaceful protests that happened over in her neighborhood of Jackson Heights over the weekend. #peacefulprotesting #noviolence #nolooting #noharassment #respect #jacksonheights #queens #queensny pic.twitter.com/kVFFohnEmk
— QueensPost (@queenspost) June 1, 2020
Meanwhile on Sunday, demonstrators marched in a peaceful event in Jamaica. At this protest, demonstrators actually cheered on some officers who took a knee with them in solidarity to their cause.
A video was posted to Facebook showing three officers taking a knee and the NYPD posted a photo of the moment to twitter.
Also on Sunday there was a peaceful gathering titled “Say Their Names: Gathering for Black Lives” at Travers Park in Jackson Heights. Demonstrators held signs with the names of black victims who had been killed by the police.
This is the scene at the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights, Queens, where people are fed up.
No more violence. We deserve a police force that acts with empathy.
And we deserve a police force that is held accountable for racist behavior.#BLACK_LIVES_MATTER pic.twitter.com/wTAaqWyMBz— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) May 30, 2020