Protests spark in Omaha over death of Minneapolis man in police custody

(WOWT)
Published: May. 28, 2020 at 2:47 PM CDT
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are spreading throughout the country, including right here in Omaha.

George Floyd was handcuffed when a Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the ground pressing his knee across his neck.

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His death has also brought protesters out here in Omaha.

Protest organizers Omaha want the community to stand up and speak out against injustice

About 50 people gathered outside of Omaha’s Northeast Police Precinct to protest the death of George Floyd.

Anthony Baker organized the protest, saying he believes its time that African American men stand up and become active in their community.

“I feel that the black man been marginalized and part of that problem is we, as black men, have not spoken out. It's easily 'out of sight, out of mind,' so if we’re not visible — if we’re not speaking out, if we’re not participating, if were not involved, if we're not engaged — it’s very easy for people to look past us to look over us,” Baker said.

Retired police officer Tariq Al Amin was on the Omaha force for 25 years. He believes police need better training and that one of the officers watching Floyd beg for his life should have stepped in.

“I also felt more should have been done by the officers that are around him to check him to check the officers who had his knee on him to say ok that’s enough let’s get him and get out of here,” Al-Amin said.

Protestors here in Omaha say these type of incidents usually play themselves out with a certain formula. Baker said they've heard it all before.

“We will not be deterred, persuaded, or influenced by any attempts to discredit him, his family in an effort to justify his murder,” Baker said.

All of the Minneapolis Police

. Thursday,

against the officer seen on video kneeling on Floyd's back.

The Omaha Police Department leadership responded to Floyd’s death yesterday through a statement. Part of it reads, “The officers’ actions are not consistent with the training and protocol of our profession. We commend Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo for his decisive actions and leadership.”