Demonstrators unite at peaceful
Protesters rally at Astoria Park. Photo by Dean Moses
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO,
JEFFERY HARRELL, GRANT
LANCASTER, DEAN MOSES
AND ZACH GEWELB
Protesters took to the
streets of Queens this weekend
— as they have across the
country — to speak out against
the killing of George Floyd,
a black man who died after a
white Minneapolis police officer,
Derek Chauvin, dug his
knee into Floyd’s neck for over
eight minutes.
On Saturday, nearly 1,000
protesters marched through
Jackson Heights. On Sunday,
protesters took to Jamaica’s
streets. And on Monday, protesters
gathered in Astoria
Park to mourn Floyd’s death
and call for change.
Despite being only miles
from protests in Brooklyn,
Manhattan and the Bronx that
became violent after sunset,
protests in Queens remained
relatively peaceful, with few
clashes between police and
protesters.
But the message in Queens
was the same as the message
heard in Brooklyn and beyond
— police violence against
black people must stop.
“I’m tired. I’m tired of seeing
it, I’m tired of living it, I’m
tired of being in fear,” Jamaica
resident Malaika Brutus told
QNS on Saturday in Jackson
Heights. “Something has to
change.”
On Saturday, May 30, protesters
gathered in Diversity
Plaza on Roosevelt Avenue
and Broadway, before making
their way up Broadway, stopping
traffic for several blocks.
Protesters chanted “no
peace, no justice,” and “say
his name: George Floyd!” with
their fists in the air as police
officers wearing riot gear
gripped tightly to their batons,
shadowing the marchers every
TIMESLEDGER | 2 QNS.COM | JUNE 5-11, 2020
move. There were times
when the demonstrators went
head to head with the officers,
screaming that they are tired
of the abuse and the deaths.
But for most of the march,
the atmosphere was rather
peaceful and calm in comparison
to the fracas that unfolded
Friday night outside Brooklyn’s
Barclays Center.
Activists handed out water,
masks and snacks as the
marchers wound their way toward
the 115th Precinct.
As the Queens group passed
along a residential block,
neighbors rang out cowbells
in support of the effort.
Several Q32 bus drivers
showed their support with
loud honks, along with many
others stuck in traffic due to
the protest. The Transit Workers
Union Local 100 have made
public statements in support of
the Black Lives Matter protesters,
with one driver refusing to
allow the NYPD to transport
arrested activists at Friday’s
protest in Brooklyn.
Residents and business
owners in Jackson Heights
rang bells and beat on buckets
out of their windows, reminiscent
of the nightly ritual
celebrating health care workers
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Ogunfowora, who
traveled from Elmont in Long
Island, felt it necessary to
protest even during the pandemic.
“If you’re not doing anything
at this point, you’re
standing up for the police who
keep killing us,” he said behind
a black protective mask.
“There’s nothing left to argue
about, we need justice.”
The crowd flooded the roadways,
stopping traffic, as they
made their way to the 115th
Precinct in Jackson Heights.
State Senator Jessica Ramos,
came face to face with the officers
and warned them not to
harm the protesters. She could
be heard telling the officers,
“do not touch my people.”
The march came to a halt
in front of the precinct as protesters
continued to shout in
Spanish, “asesinos police,”
which translates to “murderous
police,” in English.
State Senator Michael Gianaris
marched with protesters
for several blocks. He said it’s
important for those who don’t
grow up with fear that people
of color grow up with to “stand
up and show support.”
“I’m here because there
is injustice going on in this
country. It’s been going on for
a long time,” Gianaris said.
“We’re seeing a lot of it going
on in just the last couple of
weeks.”
Gianaris said he and his
colleagues have to start making
policy changes both at the
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