By Beacon Staff
On Tuesday evening, Burlington residents will take to the streets for a peaceful vigil/protest march in response to the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day.
Organizer Tenyshia Chalupa has a message for any out-of-town agitators rumored to be coming to Burlington to disrupt Tuesday's event.
“If this (rumor) is true, we will head downtown, lock arms and protect our community,” Chalupa said.
So far, the rumors are unsubstantiated.
It just won’t be local protesters protecting Burlington. The Burlington Police Department will be in attendance, with Burlington Police Chief Dennis Kramer serving as a speaker, according to Chalupa.
The vigil begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the Burlington Police Department, and will then march down to the riverfront. There will be several speakers, including Chalupa, who is a mother of two. Former Burlington Mayor Shane McCampbell will offer opening remarks.
“I am urging the community to come together peacefully, to start peacefully, to end peacefully, and to disperse immediately when it’s over,” Chalupa said in an interview with The Beacon Monday afternoon.
Riots at a protest march Sunday left two dead in Davenport, and one police officer was shot.
Rumors were rife in Burlington Monday, including one regarding downtown business owners boarding their windows. While the smoke shop Dave's Not Here is taking precautions by closing and moving merchandise, only Eclectic Design and Antiques in downtown Burlington blocked up windows as of 6 p.m. Monday.
Some chain stores did close early Monday and began barricading entrances, including Walmart and Dollar General in West Burlington. Several Walmart employees reported that customers were asked to leave the store without warning at about 5:30 p.m. so it could be closed for the night. Employees had no idea the closure was coming until it happened.
Social media threats also have been made, with at least one person threatening to pelt protesters with paintballs. Burlington police have been monitoring social media threats with the help of Chalupa, taking note of who is posting. Those making threats will be among those investigated by police if violence does break out.
“We met with the Chief (Dennis Kramer) and Major (Jeff) Klein, and they are in support with us. It will be a peaceful gathering and protest, and they (police) support our message,” Chalupa said. “Do not feed into the negativity from the counter-protesters.”
Burlington Mayor Jon Billups attended the same meeting on Monday and said none of the rumors circulating around Burlington have proven to be true. He too supports the vigil/protest and plans on attending after he gets off work at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Billups showed his support in an official statement on Facebook Monday.
“I am confident in our plans to support this event and to assist the organizers’ wishes to keep this peaceful and keep our town safe,” he said. “I am confident in our citizens and people of the surrounding area to be able to gather, converse, and support each other peacefully.”
Billups said violence will not be tolerated.
“Let us show our character by gathering together thoughtfully and peacefully,” he said.
Nationwide protests and riots have been breaking out consistently since Floyd's death. A medical examiner on Monday classified George Floyd’s death as a homicide, saying his heart stopped as police restrained him and compressed his neck, in a widely seen video that has sparked protests across the nation.
The officer has been charged with third-degree murder. The three officers who held Floyd as he died from asphyxiation have been fired, but have not been charged at this time.
Photo by Joy Mack
The entrances to the West Burlington Walmart were barricaded late Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's vigil/protest in response to the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day.