In recognition of the recent death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police officers on May 25, local members of the community rallied with various signs to express their views on the latest forms of injustice from 2-3 p.m. on June 3 on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Glendora Avenue.
More than 500 peaceful protestors gathered around all four corners of the intersection. The protest began at Glendora City Hall. The protesters then made their way to the end of downtown Glendora at the end of Bennet Street.
Black Lives Matter signs stating the quote “I can’t breathe” were the focal point of the movement. “I can’t breathe,” were some of Floyd’s last words as he struggled for air under Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s knee.
Demographics of the protest consisted mainly of white American youth who were marching and chanting excitedly. The crowd’s climate was opposite of a mob mentality, with local police officers amidst them.
Phrases such as “I can’t breathe” and “no justice, no peace, no racist police” were shouted while on-goers drove by honking in support.
A Clarion reporter asked Glendora Police officers for a response but declined to answer any questions.
In between marching with cheers of excitement, one protestor who seemed to be the determining voice urgently rounded everyone up while she voiced to take eight minutes of silence for Floyd.
The silence was in remembrance of his cause of death and how long the victim was suffering before he died.
It was a solemn silence.
The female speaker, whose name was unidentified instructed the silence to be a time to reflect and “to think about why you are here, for your own individual reasons.”
“Think how long you will be sitting here, and to think, that is how long other officers sat in silence and allowed this to happen,” the female speaker said.
Alejandra Mendoza from Covina said protesting would allow people of color’s voices to be heard.
“Everybody putting God a priority in their life and that everyone should have the same kinds of love that God has for us,” Phillip, a San Dimas resident said.
