'We Are With You': Napa Police During George Floyd Demonstration

NAPA, CA — Hundreds of thousands of people took part in demonstrations in cities across America over the weekend in memory of George Floyd, and Napa was no different. The initial rally planned in Napa was canceled, but an estimated 300 demonstrators still showed up Sunday in Napa for what appeared to be a peaceful march through the downtown area.

Around 6:15 p.m., the crowd went "mobile" and remained active until 11:30 p.m., Napa police Lt. Chase Haag said. The procession mainly focused in the downtown area, Soscol Avenue, and then through Jefferson Street, Lincoln and then back downtown — ending at Veteran's Park.

"At no point did Napa PD issue a dispersal order," Haag said.

Prior to the weekend demonstration, Napa law enforcement put out a statement in response to the May 25 death of George Floyd and the protests and in some places, riots and looting, that have followed.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died May 25 while being arrested by Minneapolis police. Video from the scene shows Floyd face down on the ground and a Minneapolis police officer with his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes as Floyd can be heard saying "I can't breathe." That officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, and many have called for the arrest of three other officers at the scene of Floyd's death.

Saturday night, Napa County law enforcement released this statement:

"On behalf of the nearly 400 men and women who make up the staff of the Napa Police Department, the Napa County Sheriff's Office and the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, we offer our kindest and most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. George Floyd.

"We stand in solidarity with the communities across the nation so profoundly warning and suffering from wounds, generations in the making. There is nothing more central to the principles of Napa law enforcement and the dignity of human life and the refusal to allow brutality and in equity besmirch our efforts to serve our beautiful and diverse community.

"Napa police Chief Robert Plummer, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson and Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley wholeheartedly condemn racism, bigotry, and object cruelty no matter where it exists, by any perpetrator, in any uniforms. We have a profound duty and responsibility to dismantle generations of inequity and continue to build systems of justice that represent a better way forward.we are dedicated and committed to serving our community. we greatly appreciate your support."

A photo taken Sunday that shows Napa police Chief Robert Plummer, a black man, kneeling with demonstrators reached nearly 2,000 shares on Facebook Monday morning, including a share by the Napa Police Department on its Facebook page.

Protests, demonstrations and riots that began in Minneapolis last week spread to communities across the nation over the weekend. In the Bay Area, there have been demonstrations in Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Walnut Creek, Concord and elsewhere, some of which were followed by looting and destruction of businesses.

Sunday night in Napa, one person was arrested for public intoxication.

"No other arrests or citations issued," Haag said.

"At this time, we have not received or found any reports of vandalism or damage to businesses or buildings," Haag said Monday morning.

Because the demonstrators chose to walk in the middle of the roadways, Haag said officers did their best to periodically block vehicle traffic to prevent anyone from being injured.

"There were lots of social media reports of organized groups traveling to Napa for the protest," Haag said. "At this time, we do not have any indication of additional planned protests, but we are continuing to monitor information and current events. We will be ready to handle any future activity and will continue to advise the community if circumstances change."

Late Sunday night in Santa Rosa, a group of about 200 demonstrators was moving between the Old Courthouse Square and U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Rosa's downtown area. Police were advising drivers to avoid the area, including driving through on 101 in case protesters try to block the freeway.

ALSO SEE:

• Peaceful Protests Transition To Vandalism, Looting: Santa Rosa PD
• Protesters Nearly Hit By Truck At Old Santa Rosa Courthouse: SRPD

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Bay City News Service contributed to this report.