Thousands gather at Oregon Capitol for Salem's largest George Floyd rally

Upwards of two thousand people gathered at the Oregon State Capitol on Saturday to rally against police brutality and pay tribute to George Floyd, whose death in police custody in Minneapolis has sparked sustained nationwide protests.

Facing down heavy storms and the coronavirus pandemic, Salem community members and local activists engineered the largest and most well-organized rally of the now eight consecutive days of protest. 

More than two hours of speeches, prayers and calls to action preceded a peaceful march around downtown Salem.

The diverse crowd chanted George Floyd's name, shouted that Black Lives Matter and raised fists in solidarity. Speakers insisted repeatedly that for the momentum and awareness created by protest to mean anything, people must vote in local, state and federal elections.

"We're done with (police brutality). We're not asking you anymore, we're telling you. We're done," said rally organizer Gregg Simpson. "Yes, this is a peaceful protest, but this is an angry message."

The march went from the Capitol toward downtown, back north for a couple blocks and around to the Capitol Mall. Cars honked support and demonstrators waved signs back at them. 

The majority of the crowd wore masks for most of the event, but six feet of social distance was nearly impossible to maintain, especially during the march. And as the afternoon wore on, some masks came off.

Marchers then filled the Capitol Mall, a demonstration of the group’s size and numbers.

Finally, as the crowd thinned significantly, several hundred remained in a tight group on the Capitol steps as people spoke at random about what the day had meant to them.

Salem Police officers and Marion County Sheriff employees on their days off marched with protesters, a far cry from the confrontations that marred the first weekend of community action.

Law enforcement officers clapped along with demonstrators during the speeches, cheering ideas such as better training and continued dialogue with the community.

On May 30 and 31, some protesters threw glass bottles, rocks and fireworks at the police dressed in riot gear. In response, police used tear gas, pepper balls, rubber projectiles, acoustic devices and spotlights to disperse crowds.

But the message on Saturday was one of unity — "Fix the Police," not the other, more widely used FTP.

Video flap:Salem Police Chief Jerry Moore addresses video of officer discussing how to dodge curfew

Police Chief Jerry Moore, who was one of the first to speak at the rally, said what happened to Floyd "should never happen to anyone." 

"I would be foolish to tell anybody here that we're perfect," he said, "because if we were, none of us would be here."

The way to make change is to build relationships, Moore said. He encouraged the crowd to stop his officers during the march and talk with them.

While the gestures of walking or "taking a knee" with protesters are cheered, some people are asking that real reform follows the gestures of solidarity.

Simpson said he has started a dialogue with the city about race issues, which the city has been open to.

“My job is going to be talking to city officials and the police department to make we keep the dialogue open,” Simpson said. “Make sure the programs that we want to put forth are accepted, and any demands that the community has for the city are being met.”

More:Oregon Emergency Board releases $247 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds

Salem City Councilor Jackie Leung said there is a need to start holding each other accountable, not only for police brutality, but for the more common occurrences of racism in the community.

These include times when the police are called on black families for no reason.

"Racism is a public health crisis," Leung said. "We as a city and as a state can and should do better. It should not take a video recording to call out racism."

An ambulance from Alluvium Mobile Health Team parked near the Capitol Building offering free coronavirus testing for people of color. People of color have been identified by the Oregon Health Authority as a priority group for testing because they are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“We also wanted to be a bit of a reminder to everyone that COVID is still happening,” said K. Jones of Alluvium.

By around 4 p.m. they had conducted about 20 tests.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Simpson continued to urge demonstrators to remain peaceful.

“There are always people who don’t want to believe in a better day. But today was a better day,” Simpson said. “Very proud (of our community), as well as other communities around here.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Pete Martini of the Statesman Journal staff contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Connor Radnovich at cradnovich@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6864, or follow him on Twitter at @CDRadnovich