Peaceful protest held in Encinitas for George Floyd

On Sunday, May 31, hundreds of people gathered at the Cardiff Kook statue in Encinitas in a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd, joining voices throughout the country calling for justice and equality.

Four Minneapolis police officers were fired after Floyd’s death and former officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder after he was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes on May 25. On June 3 it was announced that the other three officers involved in the incident will face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

The night before the Encinitas protest, a Black Lives Matter memorial installation had been set up at the statue with flowers and painted signs with the names of lives lost to police violence. Footage was posted online of a woman angrily tearing it down. By the time of the 5 p.m. rally on Sunday it had been restored.

A local group plans to gather nightly at the memorial vigil at 7 p.m. for a moment of silence and to read the names.

Peaceful protests were held throughout the country over the weekend with some turning riotous after night fell. In the La Mesa neighborhood on Saturday, May 30, several businesses were looted and two bank buildings burned down.

More than 100 people were arrested by San Diego Police late Sunday, May 31, and early Monday, June 1, on charges such as failing to disperse and assaulting officers after a peaceful daylong protest ended with stores being looted and vandals breaking windows and spray-painting buildings late that night in the downtown area.

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A peaceful protest was held at the Cardiff Kook statue on May 31.  (Liz Jones)

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A peaceful protest was held at the Cardiff Kook statue on May 31.  (Liz Jones)

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A peaceful protest was held at the Cardiff Kook statue on May 31.  (Liz Jones)

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A peaceful protest was held at the Cardiff Kook statue on May 31.  (Liz Jones)

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A peaceful protest was held at the Cardiff Kook statue on May 31.  (Liz Jones)