ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Early Friday evening protests started in downtown Albuquerque at 4th and Lomas in front of County and District Court. From there, protesters moved to Civic Plaza with people walking and chanting holding signs calling for police reform and an end to inequality. Hundreds gathered at Civic Plaza to remember the life of George Floyd. Organizers went further and called to abolish the police and end-all incarcerations. Protesters even laid orange jumpsuits on Civic Plaza.

Police shut down streets across the downtown area ahead of time.

Meanwhile Friday night, people have been at UNM for hours honoring lives lost at the hand of police. The latest protest comes more than a week after Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on George Floyd‘s neck for eight minutes and 45 seconds, killing him. Sunday’s protest in Albuquerque did turn violent but other demonstrations have largely been peaceful.

“Everybody deserves justice no matter what color creed, race or religion, everybody deserves justice, it’s not a black life, not a white life, it’s a human life so that’s why we here,” said protester Michael Davis.

Also happening Friday night, a tearful, candlelight vigil for Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was shot and killed by police. Between 500 to 600 people are gathered at the University of New Mexico duck pond in honor of Taylor.

“What went into this event was a lot of love. I know we have been doing a lot of marches and protests and that gets really exhausting, and I wanted to focus on something more like grieving in solidarity and more about togetherness,” said organizer Hossanna Scott.

The 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed during a police raid. Officers said last month they were conducting a search warrant in a narcotics investigation when they were met with gunfire from Taylor’s boyfriend but it was Taylor who was shot by police eight times all while she was asleep in her bed. Friday would have been her 27th birthday.

Friday night’s protests remained peaceful. Those involved say they wanted the focus to be on the lives lost and coming together for a common cause. Many of tonight’s speakers say they have lost family members at the hands of police. Hoping that these demonstrations will bring about a real change.

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