Protesters march through Providence for George Floyd

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Protesters marched from Burnside Park to the Rhode Island State House on Saturday calling for change after the death of George Floyd.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death, but some Rhode Islanders are saying that’s not enough.

“Just to see George Floyd and to see a knee on his neck is like having a knee at every black person's neck,” said protester Janice Fortes.

The rally was led by a local Black Lives Matter group.

Those who attended it say there was a range of emotions, from anger to sadness.

"I remember when I first saw the video, I was terribly sad. I cried when I first saw it,” said protester Zakhi Brown.

The Providence Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, and other agencies stood at a distance, prepared with a plan should any violence have broken out.

“We’re basically here to ensure peacefulness and safety,” said Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements. “We’re all being called into question by his actions that were wrong, indefensible ...I’m outraged by what I saw and they’re criminal. I think everyone is yearning for justice on this situation and I believe it will come, I believe in the system.”

Protests have erupted across various cities the past few days, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City.

The rally in Providence was mostly peaceful, with the exception of a small group of protesters spray painting "no justice, no peace" leading up to the steps of the State House.

“There needs to be accountability, but theyre also needs to be systemic change amongst all of us. Even in our day to day lives, there are ways that all of us can do better,” said protester Garrett Locke. “This is an important moment.”