CLEVELAND — Protesters peacefully gathered outside Cleveland's First District police station in response to the killing of Minnesota's George Floyd.
The station is located on West 130th Street, outside the city's active curfew zone. However, the police division announced multiple road closures will be in effect around the area.
Cleveland was one of dozens of cities across America to see demonstrations following the death of Floyd, a black man whose neck was knelt on for several minutes by a white Minneapolis officer. Derek Chauvin was later fired from the force and charged with murder, but outrage has continued to swell.
While the majority of Saturday's protesters demonstrated peacefully, others vandalized and looted city establishments, prompting a downtown curfew and the activation of the Ohio National Guard. Gov. Mike DeWine has stated that this type of violence must end, but has emphasized that his support remains with the bulk of protesters who are using their First Amendment rights to demand change.
"We still have too many Ohioans who are living in the shadows of opportunity," he said. "Still there is racism in Ohio and across our country. There is inequity in Ohio and across our great land."
The protesters stayed for a little under two hours, even interacting with officers. A number of them then began marching towards downtown.