Scores of protesters gathered outside the United States Embassy, Wildey, St Michael around 11 a.m. today to stand in solidarity against the brutal death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, more than a week ago.
With placards in hand, they shouted “I can’t breathe”.
But just as organisers from The Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration were about to rally the protesters and give them instructions as to how the picket should proceed according to the COVID-19 regulations, police told them permission was revoked.
The permit allowed for ten people at a time and organisers said they would interchange.
Police officers instructed the people to leave.
This riled up the protesters and organisers, who then began to sing at the top of their voices “We shall not be moved”.
They continued to sing about police brutality towards people of African descent.
Senior superintendent Antonio Forte soon arrived with more officers and told the group to disperse. He spoke with the organisers and the protest broke up.
Floyd was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin after being pinned by a knee to the neck in a now vital video captured by a by-stander. On Friday, the charges against Chauvin were upgraded to second degree murder.
Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, three former officers who were present at the time of the incident, were also arrested and charged. (SB)
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