Last Chance for Change organizers blocked traffic Friday on Erie Boulevard East to continue protesting police brutality and the alleged murder of George Floyd. 

The organizers later marched to a vigil on Pond Street held in honor of Tre’jan Sales, who was shot and killed at about midnight Thursday. 

Protesters in Syracuse have been marching for seven consecutive days in response to the death of Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.  

Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, faces charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The three other officers present during Floyd’s death have been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting murder.

The demonstrations have been largely peaceful with the exception of a clash between protesters and the police on Saturday night. Protesters have said they will march in the city for 40 days.

6:00 Protesters are now marching and driving back to Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt.

5:37 Protesters kneel in front of a vigil created for Sales. The community must first address issues in Syracuse, said Lepa Jones, president of Mothers Against Gun Violence.

 “We out here walking for Tre’jan, for his mother, for his sisters, for his brothers,” she said. “Our children is not making it past 21.”

It’s time to take back the community, Jones said. Clifford Ryan, founder of OG’s Against Gun Violence, urged the crowd to share any information they know about Sales’ death. People can provide information anonymously or contact Sales’ family, he said.

“You’re not a friend if you’re hiding a murdered amongst your group,” an organizer said. “When there is unity, there is strength.”

5:07  Community members and Sales’ loved ones, including his mother, have met up and joined the Last Chance for Change protesters. Sales marched this weekend, an organizer said. Ryan is leading chants of Sales’ name and “Enough is enough.”

4:40 The crowd is approaching the city of Syracuse, crossing over University Avenue. They kneel in an intersection and continue to chant.

3:54 Protesters face the Syracuse Police Department’s Transportation Division on Erie Boulevard East, fist raised. One protester kneels on the lawn facing the division, hands behind their head. Organizers later kneel in the street and raise their fists. The crowd chants “abuse your power, we’ll take it away,” and “no justice, no peace, no racist police.”

3:46 Organizers are are now chanting “hands up, don’t shoot.” 

3:16 Protesters carry signs that read “Repeal 50-a” and “white silence kills.” New York Civil Rights Law 50-a protects the performance evaluation records of police officers, fire fighters and corrections officers from being released. Following protests across the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed legislation to make police personnel records more transparent.

3:12 An organizer reads the names of Syracuse residents who have died by police brutality, as well as those who have survived. Protesters march as they chant “get your foot off my neck and give me my respect.” Cars driving in the opposite direction honk their horns in support.

3:02 Protesters sang “Happy Birthday” for Breonna Taylor, who would’ve turned 27 today. Louisville police officers shot and killed Taylor, a Black woman, in her bed while executing a search warrant.

3:00 Protesters kneel in an intersection. One protester is encouraging the crowd to add that “extra something” and increase their energy as they pass open businesses.

2:52 A crowd of at least 100 protesters is blocking traffic on Erie Boulevard East in DeWitt.

Published on June 5, 2020 at 3:18 pm

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu