By Beacon Staff
Organizers of a vigil to honor the life of Minneapolis, Minn., resident George Floyd — which is also being dubbed as a Protest Against Racism — will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the Burlington Police Department.
Floyd was allegedly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day, May 25. A criminal complaint against former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, shows that George Floyd was "non-responsive" for nearly three minutes before Chauvin took his knee off his neck during an arrest.
Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder.
Organizers are stressing that this will be a peaceful vigil. Signs and candles are welcome. After taking a knee in front of the police department, attendees will be invited to march down to the riverfront for a rally protest.
“Please wear a BLACK shirt and bring appropriate signs and candles to light at the riverfront to honor the lives lost! We want this to be a civil protest to spread our message! Violence, obstruction, and vandalism will not be tolerated,” event organizer and Burlington resident Tenyshia Chalupa said in a Facebook post promoting the event.
The Beacon has reached out to Chalupa for further comment.
Those interested in speaking at the protest are encouraged to contact Chalupa on her Facebook page.
The three officers who held Floyd down while Chauvin pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes have been fired. The story instantly spread when a video of the incident showing Floyd pleading for air went viral.
Since then, protests and riots have erupted across the nation.
Photo courtesy of John Autey/St. Paul Pioneer Press
A man stands atop his car holding a photo of George Floyd as people gather Thursday in Minneapolis to remember and protest his death.