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Fort Mitchell protest: More than 200 gather for George Floyd rally in Northern Kentucky

Cole Behrens
Cincinnati Enquirer
A crowd in Fort Mitchell marched in support of Black Lives Matter and demonstrated against the death of George Floyd, Saturday, June 6, 2020. George Floyd was killed May 25 at the hand of Minneapolis police.

FORT MITCHELL – More than 200 people marched through the streets of this Northern Kentucky suburb against racial injustice Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration was one of at least seven held across the Cincinnati region Saturday in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.  

As they went through the city's commercial area as the temperature reached 90 degrees, workers from the Greyhound Tavern handed marchers popsicles and Biggby Coffee offered samples of its iced tea. 

Demonstrators met at noon outside the Fort Mitchell city building, where organizer and former Beechwood football team captain John Willis and other recent graduates gave speeches. There, the group kneeled for 90 seconds in honor of Floyd.

Floyd was killed when a police officer pressed his knee to Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Three other officers watched. All four policemen were fired after the incident, and have been criminally charged.

The protestors marched for several miles on the sidewalks to Beechwood schools. They were greeted by the school superintendent, Mike Stacy, who said he was glad to see his recent graduates and current students who are marching come together as a community and speak out against an issue. 

As they walked through residential neighborhoods, the demonstrators were met with onlookers kneeling or holding signs in their front yard and offering them cold water.

Police presence at the march was minimal, although officers on bicycles closed intersections and ensured marchers could cross roads safely. EMT services remained on standby in case anyone suffered heat-related injuries. 

After the march ended, a Kenton County Sheriff's golf cart drove some demonstrators back to their cars.

In Cincinnati, protesters have gathered each day since May 29 and marched throughout Downtown, Over-the-Rhine and near the University of Cincinnati. Other events have been held in Cincinnati suburbs. A group of Butler County demonstrators prayed with police at The Square at Union Centre in West Chester Township.

Graham Hildebrandt, 8, of Fort Mitchell, watches during a protest in Fort Mitchell, sporting Black Lives Matter and demonstrating against the death of George Floyd,  Saturday, June 6, 2020.

More protests are scheduled through the weekend, in downtown Cincinnati and surrounding areas. 

Here's a list of scheduled demonstrations Saturday in the area:

Downtown – A vigil will be held outside of the Cincinnati Police Department district headquarters each weeknight "indefinitely from 6 to 7:30 p.m., according to vigil organizer Monica Onyedika.

Hyde Park – A march through the Hyde Park neighborhood is scheduled for Saturday at noon, according to the Cincinnati for Justice Facebook group. The peaceful event will begin at Madison Park, and those involved are then encouraged to head Downtown to "link up with all the other groups."

Anderson Township – A vigil will be held Saturday at noon at 7930 Beechmont Avenue, according to Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church. Participants are asked to wear black shirts and bring black umbrellas, water, signs and masks.

Clifton – A "peaceful walk in memory of George Floyd" and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement is scheduled for Saturday at the Clifton Fountain near 290 Ludlow Ave. at 1 p.m. Cardboard and markers will be provided for making signs, according to the Cincinnati for Justice Facebook group. 

Fairfield – On Saturday protesters are asked to wear a mask for a 2 p.m. march that begins at 1579 Stadium Drive,

Fort Mitchell – Beechwood High School's 2019 class president and football captain John Willis and three teammates have scheduled a protest Saturday protest for noon at 2355 Dixie Highway.

Indian Hill – On Saturday a social distancing Black Lives Matter event will take place at the intersection of Miami and Shawnee Run roads between 4 and 6 p.m.