Protestors rally around the Jefferson County Courthouse
Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The world came to Monticello on Tuesday evening, June 2.
For several days leading up to June 2 (and several days afterwards), national and state news has been swamped with reports of protestors and rioters who are demanding action against police violence and racism towards the African-American communities.
The protests were launched when, on Monday, May 25, a 46-year-old black man named George Floyd died while in the custody of Minnesota law enforcement officer Derek Chauvin. A video captured by a witness circulated around social media, showing Officer Chauvin pinning Floyd to the ground, with his knee pressed on Floyd's neck for nine minutes. Floyd had originally been arrested by Minneapolis, Minn. law enforcement for being under suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill.
An autopsy conducted by the Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of Floyd's death to be from “cardiac arrest while being restrained by officers who had employed "neck compression", with significant conditions "arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease; fentanyl intoxication; and recent methamphetamine use".
An independent, private autopsy commissioned by Floyd's family found that the "evidence is consistent with mechanical asphyxia as the cause" of death, with neck compression restricting blood flow to the brain, and back compression restricting breathing.
All four officers involved in Floyd's arrest were fired and Officer Chauvin was arrested under the charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The FBI also launched a federal civil rights investigation at the request of the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is also investigating Floyd's death.
Floyd's death sparked national outrage, with protests forming around the country in dissent against the treatment of law enforcement officers.
While the movement attempted to achieve social change, the protests and demonstrations quickly became known by the violence, robbery, arson and general lawlessness by rioters who have followed the protestors' movement.In particular, protests in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, while beginning peacefully, became violent after a police precinct and two stores were set on fire, and many stores in the area were looted and damaged.
Additional protests developed in over 400 American cities and while some were peaceful, others resulted in skirmishes with law enforcement officers and local governments.
While protests – both peaceful and riotous – continued around the country, Monticello became the scene of its own protest on June 2.
Several people gathered outside, on the south side of the Jefferson County Courthouse, on Tuesday, June 2, to protest police violence and racism.
“We are not targets,” read one sign, while others cited: “We Matter” and “#Stop Police Violence.”Despite the negative stereotypes associated with the protests staged towards the end of May/beginning of June, Monticello's protest was a time of community support and empowerment.
At one point during the evening's peaceful protest, Monticello Police Department (MPD) Chief Fred Mosley and Officer Kevin Tharpe joined the protestors in Downtown Monticello to offer their own support.
Police Chief Fred Mosley informed the Monticello City Council, during a meeting that also took place on Tuesday evening that his department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were on top of the situation. He said his and Sheriff Mac McNeill's agencies had been monitoring the activities related to the George Floyd protest.“We're a family-oriented community. I encourage peaceful protests. The MPD is transparent. If you see an officer acting out, please give me a call. We engage with people of all walks of life. We also embrace community values,” said Chief Mosley at the virtual Monticello City Council meeting that evening. Chief Mosley added that he had heard of the protest earlier in the day, but was not worried about the protest reflecting negatively upon his office. “We're prepared and have been transparent in all our actions. I don't think we have anything to worry about. We're keeping our ears close to the ground.”
At the council meeting, City Councilman Troy Avera provided encouragement to the community as well: “The officers are doing a good job. We're a community that's made up of good people and good neighbors. We have good relations with the community. We're not separated like in the big cities. We're neighbors who know one another.”
Avera praised Chief Mosley for his community involvement while also reflecting understanding towards the protestor's outrage regarding police violence. “I understand the anger and I feel for George Floyd. But that's not who we are. We try to lift everybody in the community and that speaks well for the community and the chief,” added Avera. “I'm hoping there's a resolution. Again, I understand the anger, but it [rioting, destruction] is not a positive way to resolve the issue.”While Monticello's protestors stood near the courthouse, vehicles honked in support, and the protesters waved and smiled at people they knew.
While rioting and destruction might have been common for protesting communities around the United States, Monticello's peaceful protest set a different type of example, while demanding the same action and transparency amongst law enforcement agencies around the country.
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