Traffic came to a standstill outside of Oakland Police Department headquarters at 6th St. and Broadway. Protesters sat in a circle, holding their fists high in the air, holding signs and demanding justice for Floyd, who died Monday while in custody of Minneapolis Police.
The 46-year-old Floyd died as officers arrested him outside a convenience store after a report of a counterfeit bill being passed.
"I hope people are motivated to some out in the streets and fight for what's right," Freedman said.
The San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Police Officers' Associations released a joint statement on the death Thursday: "What we saw on that video was inconsistent and contrary to everything we've been taught, not just as an academy recruit or a police officer, but as human beings."
Oakland Interim Police Chief Susan Manheimer also released a video statement regarding the death just before the protest. See her comments below.
Message from Interim Police Chief Susan E. Manheimer regarding #GeorgeFloyd incident. pic.twitter.com/7g3OnwDi3O
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) May 29, 2020The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting "a robust criminal investigation" into the death and making the case a priority. The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that he had asked an investigation to be expedited.
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd’s civil rights were violated.
The officer who kneeled on Floyd and three others were fired Tuesday. The next day, the mayor called for him to be criminally charged. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called in the National Guard on Thursday as looting broke out in St. Paul and a wounded Minneapolis braced for more violence after rioting over the incident.
There are similar protests around the country Thursday night, including in Santa Monica.
