MIAMI VALLEY — A number of communities in the Miami Valley will continue protesting the death of George Floyd Saturday. Today marks the second weekend of demonstrations since Floyd’s death.
>> George Floyd: Planned demonstration in Dayton featuring armed marchers has been canceled
Protests in Dayton began around 10 a.m. and are still underway as demonstrators march through the area.
#Update - The group is now marching downtown. They are currently at Fifth & Patterson.
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) June 6, 2020
Our bike teams are helping with traffic control to keep the marchers safe when crossing the streets.
There may be some very quick street closures as the marchers make their way around downtown
The march began near the Oregon District, continued through downtown near Fifth Street and Patterson Street and is now going near Wayne Avenue toward Third Street.
They started right here with the group, Mothers Praying Against Violence who have been at Courthouse Square all morning. @whiotv pic.twitter.com/htqi8v0WaV
— Kayla Courvell (@KCourvellWHIO) June 6, 2020
Dayton Fire Dept. passing out masks to protestors today. At the corner of Ludlow and 3rd starting at 11:30 @whiotv pic.twitter.com/oqaXQWBNvT
— Kayla Courvell (@KCourvellWHIO) June 6, 2020
In Trotwood, demonstrators began their protest in Madison Park around 11 a.m. with the support of city leaders.
“We stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters and demand reform and change for all families that have lost loved ones,” Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald said in a media release Friday.
A march was a part of Trotwood’s Saturday afternoon demonstration. It started at Madison park and ended about a mile and a half down the road at the an auto shop along East Main Street.
Trotwood’s police chief and officers walked with protesters while officers from other nearby departments blocked off streets.
The organizer of today’s events said after today’s protest he wants to work on bettering the community’s relationship with local police officers.
A family from the area told News Center 7 why today’s protest was important to them.
“We would like for him to grow up in a different world than the others have seen,” the parents said about their son.
“Even though they have not experienced racism to the degree that our parents or grandparents did – it still exists. It’s important he understands why we do what we do, why we march, and why everybody is created equal. We want him to not just hear us talk about it, but see us be a part of it.”
While Dayton and Trotwood communities come together, so do locals in Miami Twp.
A peaceful march took place where demonstrators walked from the park to state Route 741 and back.
A protest took place in Xenia around noon while communities like Yellow Springs and Centerville began demonstrations at 1 p.m.
The Yellow Springs Police Department noted the village’s protest was peaceful.
In the northern part of the Miami Valley, a protest was set to take place in Greenville at 3 p.m.
>> George Floyd: City leaders express support for peaceful protest in Trotwood this weekend
A protest began in Huber Heights at 5 p.m. Flyers indicate the protest is to be a peaceful sit-in.
Another gathering, planned for 6 p.m. in Springboro is being put on by led by members of the Miami Valley Physicians of Indian Origin and other physician groups in the Dayton area.
Attendance is limited to 100, in accordance with public health guidelines.
“COVID-19 is a public health problem and so is racism. Every day, discrimination takes an emotional and physiological toll on a person’s health, leading to chronic health problems and a shorter life span,” said Dr. Jhansi Koduri, a hematologist-oncologist in a release.
“This is a humanitarian and public health crisis. Many of our colleagues share the same values and feel the need to show our support.”
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