Peaceful Protest Supporting Black Lives Matter Held In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — A peaceful protest supporting Black Lives Matter was held in Westport on Monday afternoon, with marchers winding their way from Jesup Green, down the Post Road to the border of Norwalk and returning to the Green.

The march temporarily closed down some roads in town, but according to the Westport Police Department the protest remained peaceful.

News 12's Lauren Fabrizi posted some video on Twitter of the protesters, who were accompanied by members of the police department.

Some area police departments appear to be taking a less confrontational approach to the protests, which began springing up around the country last week following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Floyd, a black 46-year-old, died during an arrest when Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, is accused of holding his knee on Floyd's throat for several minutes. Floyd could be heard on video saying that he couldn't breathe, and people at the scene begged Chauvin to get off of him.

Three other officers were on the scene and did not stop Chauvin, who has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Following the incident, protests have sprung up around the country, some of which have turned violent and included widespread property destruction and looting of business.

In Norwalk on Sunday, protesters temporarily shutdown a portion of I-95 and various streets, but the march received praise from Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik for remaining peaceful.