‘This has to stop.’ Hundred-plus rally in Fresno to protest George Floyd killing
»» Updates: Protests Sunday at Fresno City Hall of George Floyd killing
When Roger Centeno watched the video of a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, it brought back painful memories.
His brother, Freddy, who has a history of mental illness, was shot by police in 2015 at El Monte Way and Orange Avenue in southeast Fresno after he allegedly threatened a woman and pulled out what officers said they feared was a gun.
Centeno died from his injuries. The object turned out to be a garden hose nozzle.
“This has to stop,” said Centeno, one of about 150 people who showed up Saturday at Blackstone and Nees in north Fresno to voice their displeasure in the aftermath of the Floyd killing.
It was the latest in a series of local protests spurred by Floyd’s death, and the video that captured his final moments of life, and one of many demonstrations in major cities across the United States on Saturday.
Floyd, a black man, died while handcuffed and pleading that he could not breathe as the officer kneeled on his neck. That officer, Derek Chauvin, subsequently fired along with three other officers who were at the scene, was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
“This has to stop,” Centeno repeated. “This is why I’m supporting it. It’s not about color any more. Police are killing white, black, Hispanic, it doesn’t matter. They have to be (held) accountable and it has to stop.”
Saturday’s protest came after two other demonstrations on Friday in Fresno.
Another Saturday night was a march that started from the Chukchansi Park parking lot and went roughly north, reaching the Tower District, Manchester Center and Fashion Fair mall.
On Sunday, a protest backed by Black Lives Matter is scheduled for 2 p.m. in front of Fresno City Hall. A march to Fresno Police Department headquarters will start about 3 p.m., according to organizers.
Unlike protests in Minneapolis, New York and Atlanta, where looters and other rioters have mixed in, the demonstrations in Fresno remained largely peaceful until late Saturday night when police made three arrests for vandalism after store windows were broken along the route.
On Saturday, protesters chanted repeatedly, “No justice, no peace,” and held up many signs such as “I Can’t Breathe.”
Many drivers honked their horns to show support as they passed through the busy intersection. Several dropped off cases of bottled water.
“This means a lot to me because I’m an African American female and I have nieces, nephews and cousins and I would hate for them to get killed by the police for no reason for just a minor traffic stop,” Joban Coleman said.
“We’re out here protesting. This has been going on for far too long and this needs to stop and we need somebody policing the police because there’s dirty cops out here who are mistreating our communities. Everybody feels the same way and this is not right and we’re doing a peaceful protest and it needs to be done.”
Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall on Thursday joined peers across the country in denouncing the actions of the four Minnesota officers.
“This officer’s actions and those officers that stood by and watched the death of George Floyd violated the oath of the more than 800,000 men and women who dedicate their lives to serve their communities,” Hall said via Facebook.
Dyer: Floyd death ‘grave injustice’
On Saturday, ex-Fresno police chief turned mayor-elect Jerry Dyer referred to the killing as “a grave injustice and abuse of authority.”
“My heart breaks over what is occurring across our nation,” Dyer said in a statement. “We have witnessed a grave injustice and abuse of authority by police officers in Minneapolis that has led to the tragic death of George Floyd. I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the Floyd family.
“The actions of these officers have placed police officers across the country in grave danger. They have endangered countless communities, pushed livelihoods to the brink, and made the job of peace officers that much more difficult.”
He went on to express an understanding for “the emotions of outrage being expressed on the streets of America,” but asked “that these emotions not turn into acts of violence in our city, as we have seen across the country.”
“I am calling upon all who are participating in protests in our city to express themselves in a peaceful manner and not allow outside agitators and opportunists to destroy our city and devalue this tragedy.”
Fresno mayor: Floyd killing ‘unjustifiable’
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, in a statement Saturday morning, expressed how upset he is in the wake of Floyd’s death.
“The killing of George Floyd was senseless and unjustifiable, and I condemn both the actions and the inactions of the police officers in Minneapolis who caused it and didn’t stop it,” he said.
“The death of yet another African-American man at the hands of people sworn to protect him is one more example of the deep wound in our nation that continues to weep in spite of our sincere attempts to bring healing and understanding to this problem.”
Brand is calling on the community to unite against injustice and understands that it is natural to feel “pain, anger, bitterness and frustration.
“Every community, including Fresno, should express those strong emotions and demand that we all do better,” he said. “And I support the right to come together as one voice to march and demonstrate and pray for justice, just as our community did last night, in peaceful and respectful ways.”
Fresno State president calls death ‘inhumane’
Fresno State President Joseph Castro sent out his own sharply worded statement Saturday, saying Floyd’s death is “tragic, inhumane and downright reprehensible.”
“My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends, as well as to my many African American friends, colleagues, students and community partners who are experiencing the recurring sense of pain, loss and anger that is rooted in our nation’s history of racism and injustice,” Castro said.
Castro said he spoke with the Fresno State alumni and friends and is working with them to address educational and socioeconomic challenges facing the African American community.
“The Fresno State community, (wife) Mary and I stand united with all of our African American friends and neighbors,” Castro said. “As we continue to strive to fulfill our powerful and compelling mission to boldly educate and empower students for success. That is our guiding light today and every day.”
DA: ‘Demonstrations ... can be productive’
Fresno County District Attorney called for prosecution of the officers involved in causing Floyd’s death. And while she defended the right to protest, she reminded to do it in a lawful way.
“Demonstrations against this type of behavior are understandable, acceptable, and can be productive,” Smittcamp said in a statement.
“However, violence and committing additional crimes is NOT acceptable. Fresno, please honor the memory of George Floyd by keeping the focus on him and do not let his death be in vain. Do not distract from his memory with acts of violence and rage. Protest peacefully. Express yourself effectively and emphatically without committing further crimes. Do not loot. Do not set fires. Do not hurt another human being or destroy another family.
“You can be angry without destructive behavior. I am angry that Mr. Floyd was killed. In response to this, I will continue to seek justice for victims and ensure that we insist on a system that is fair, just, and demands equality. When those standards are not met, we will hold those who fail to be accountable for their actions.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 5:58 PM.
