Protest Planned Thursday In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Protesters calling for racial justice in the wake of George Floyd's death plan to gather at 6 p.m. Thursday in San Rafael.

The Black Lives Matter protest is slated to start at Montecito Plaza. Protestors plan to march to City Hall.

"Stop being silent, and let our voices be heard,"an event flyer said. "Police brutality and racism needs to stop. We need to know each other as a community to help each other out, or all these marches are just a waste of time."

San Rafael police will be available to support "any and all peaceful protests," according to the department. Police plan to monitor the march and provide safety corridors along the path.

"We have had several peaceful protests in San Rafael already and we want to ensure that every participant is safe and able to express their First Amendment rights," San Rafael police Sgt. Justin Graham said.

"It is important to note that we will not allow our community to be torn apart by the violence and destruction that has occurred in other cities by those committed to ill will," he added. "No one deserves to be victimized by those with the intent to cause division, harm, or destruction.

"We are dedicated to protecting the Mission City and have a long-standing history of being committed to and working with our community. We stand with you and are as troubled by what occurred in Minneapolis as you are."