What will mark Springfield’s third large public gathering sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, demonstrators are expected to march Wednesday in a Black Lives Matter protest in the city.
The march will start at 4 p.m. around Springfield Central High School’s parking lot. The protest route will carve through Roosevelt Avenue, State Street and Byers Street, then end at the Springfield Police Department on Pearl Street, according to the event’s Facebook page.
“This is a peaceful protest, where we will be practicing social distancing and wearing masks,” march organizer Rachel Boudreau wrote. “We want to keep the protest as peaceful as possible to avoid any unnecessary damage, arrests and personal injuries. Be safe and stay peaceful.”
Wednesday’s protest in Springfield is one of hundreds to crop up across the United States in the wake of Floyd’s killing. The 46-year-old unarmed black man died after a white Minneapolis police officer kept his knee pinned down on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
The policeman, later identified as Derek Chauvin, has since been charged with murder and manslaughter.
Demonstrations - some of which have ended with clashes between police and protesters - have erupted throughout the U.S., including in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as Northampton, Holyoke, Worcester, Brockton, Boston and other communities in Massachusetts.
Hundreds of people protested police brutality last week outside the Springfield police headquarters. Demonstrators called on the police department to review their policies on choking measures and adopt liability insurance.
At least 300 people gathered again Tuesday afternoon for a vigil urging protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood both spoke at the event, condemning Floyd’s killing and calling on people to protest nonviolently.
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