GAINESVILLE -- A march, several protests and a rally in Gainesville drew over 1,000 Saturday, protesting the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd. The protests, part of what organizers called the “Gainesville March for Freedom,” were mostly peaceful.
One of protests was interrupted by a man who allegedly drove into a crowd and threatened participants.
According to Gainesville Police, 64 year-old William John Connelly was driving a silver Kia north on Main Street while a group was walking south on Main at the Depot Avenue roundabout. Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones said Connelly is charged with aggravated assault. No shots were fired. “That’s a weapon itself, that car is a weapon,” Jones said.
A GPD police report said Connelly drove around two cars, threatened and attempted to drive through the group, nearly striking some of the walkers. One witness said Connelly waved a firearm.
During the altercation, several individuals began rocking Connelly’s vehicle, and smashed his windshield. Connelly fled the scene, and was later arrested.
Marches and rallies were held in areas from Depot Park to Bo Diddley Plaza in Downtown Gainesville, and one protest moved to the Gainesville Police Headquarters on NW 8th Avenue.