'No justice, no peace': Protesters rally in downtown Jackson against police brutality

Thousands of protesters rallied against police brutality and for equal justice in downtown Jackson Saturday afternoon  marching in front of the Governor's Mansion, before making a loop downtown, past Jackson City Hall and then the Mississippi Capitol.

At all points of the rally, the chant of "No justice, no peace" was echoed by the diverse crowd, all wearing facial masks despite the heat, but sweating because of it. 

The protest  was organized by Black Lives Matter Mississippi, following a wave of protests and unrest that swept the country after the death of George Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed and prone as a white Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the ground, with his knee crushing Floyd's neck, for at least eight minutes.

"When Mississippi changes, America changes. When America changes, the world changes. And we're about to get moving on change," said Calvert White, an event co-organizer, one of several who addressed the crowd from a podium in front of the Governor's Mansion on Capitol Street. 

Protesters are fueled by outrage over high-profile killings of unarmed black Americans, a long list that has grown in recent months to include Floyd, Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician who was shot and killed by police as they executed a "no knock" search warrant, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot to death while jogging by white men who chased him down in a pickup truck.

"We welcome you to build with us beyond this movement in sustainable way," said another event organizer, Jarrius Adams. "Truly nurture us and make investments in us as stewards of our collective future. We hope that you can show up for us now and beyond."

As he spoke, protesters packed in to listen, most holding up signs. 

"You can help make Mississippi and Jackson a destination of human rights, racial justice and economic justice," Adams said, prompting applause from the crowd. 

(Story continues after photo gallery.)

Taylor Turnage, the president of the Mississippi Youth and College NAACP, spoke next, posing questions. 

"Did you come because your friends were coming? Did you come because you thought it would be a fun experience?" asked Turnage.

"Or maybe, just maybe, you felt like there was an ongoing issue not only in Mississippi but the rest of the country that you needed to something about by any means necessary. I want y'all to think about that. Think about why you are here today," she said. 

"Justice," someone yelled from way back in the crowd. 

Mississippi has had its own share of controversial cases. Last year, the Jackson Police Department came under scrutiny for the homicides of George Robinson and Mario Clark, unarmed black men who died after separate encounters with officers. Witnesses had alleged officers used excessive force on Robinson and Clark.

On Friday, demonstrators in Jackson called for justice in the case of a Columbus black man killed by a white officer, Canyon Boykin, in 2015. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch recently decided to drop the prosecution against Boykin.

Public outcry:Jackson protest condemns AG decision in Ricky Ball case

Several protests in other parts of the country have turned violent. Police have used tear gas, rubber bullets and other forms of force against protesters. Looters have taken advantage of the unrest to ransack and destroy businesses in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and other cities.

Jackson Police Chief James Davis told the City Council on Tuesday his officers had been taking a hands-off approach to protesters. He said his officers have riot gear if necessary but have been instructed to keep the equipment in their patrol cars to avoid "intimidating" protesters.  

On Saturday, there was no obvious police presence at the peaceful protest.

Behind peaceful protests:Jackson police chief cites monitoring, 'hands-off approach'

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba threw his support behind BLM and Floyd protesters in a Thursday night statement. 

"I stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and all of those engaging in civil disobedience against police brutality and the abuse of black bodies across the country and around the world," Lumumba said. 

Lumumba and Mike Espy, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, were among the demonstrators Saturday. The mayor said his administration is putting together a citizen's police review board to monitor the police department and implement steps to ensure equal justice, similar to other cities.   

Earlier this week, Gov. Tate Reeves said he was "disgusted and dismayed" by the video of Floyd's arrest. Reeves said he supports people's right to protest and applauded the peaceful nature of the protests that have taken place in Mississippi so far. He spoke out against "anarchists and antagonists from other parts of the country who seem committed to violence."

On Friday, Reeves tweeted that the Mississippi State Highway Patrol would distribute face masks to protesters. One of the organizers of the protest, Maisie Brown, tweeted back: “Hey Governor, thank you but no thank you. Highway Patrol does not need to be present. We have 1000+ extra masks & gloves for those who need them. We even have a hand sanitizing station. We got this.”

In addition to passing out masks and gloves, volunteers set up snack and water stations on Saturday.

Joshua Starr was helping people register to vote. "When people are energized and angry we do what we can to affect change," he said.

Protester Valerie Archie Bouldin said she was impressed with the rally's turnout and the sense of community she felt there.

"Change is going to come and Mississippi is powerful, we just have to show up in numbers," she said.

Bouldin's nephew, 3-year-old Alex Smith, held a sign that read: "My life matters." At the urging of his family, he thrust a tiny fist in the air and proclaimed, "Black power!"

As the rally wound down Saturday evening, music replaced the voices of protesters over the speakers.

A familiar line dance song came on and a few people began to shuffle their feet and sway their arms. Men in matching purple fraternity shirts kicked their legs high into the air and twirled their bodies in time to the beat. It didn't take long for the number of dancers to grow from a dozen to nearly 100.

Jackson's protest concluded joyously and peacefully, with dancing in the streets.

(Story continues after photo gallery.)

Mississippians rally across the state

Since Floyd died on Memorial Day, there have been protests and rallies in cities and towns across the state, including Jackson, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Starkville, Oxford, Petal and Columbus and Vicksburg.   

Protesters rallied in other parts of Mississippi on Saturday as well. Thousands marched in Starkville, carrying signs that read "Black Lives Matter" and "Say her name."

'Moving forward':How Starkville, Mississippi State joined for a peaceful protest

We're here because racism is here:Ole Miss athletes, coaches march for unity

Ole Miss student-athletes, coaches and staff came together for a "Unity Walk" in Oxford in support of racial unity.

People also participated in a Unity March in Petal Saturday, where there had been days of protests as residents called for the resignation of Mayor Hal Marx who ignited a firestorm of criticism after he posted on social media he "didn't see anything unreasonable" about Floyd's arrest and "if you can talk, you can breathe." Marx has since apologized, but has refused to resign.

USA Today contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Alissa Zhu at azhu@gannett.com. Follow @AlissaZhu on Twitter.