St. Pete Leaders Pledge To Listen, Act On Behalf Of Protesters

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — City leaders from St. Petersburg along with Congressman Charlie Crist gathered in front of city hall on Wednesday morning and addressed a myriad of issues including local civil unrest as a couple of emotional protesters responded. (A video clip is provided at the bottom.)

The hundreds of protesters seen marching Tuesday night were not in attendance, but two protesters were at the beginning of the meeting, and a few others showed up later.

"No protesters out but one," said protester Temika Vaughn, referring to herself. "Where are the protesters? This don't make no sense." She panned her camera around showing that it was majority reporters at the conference and not the community.

Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, who is black, spoke behind the podium, which had been placed on the steps leading to city hall.

Tomalin talked about the uncertain future of the black community, and that George Floyd's death was a call to create a change for every black man and black boy.

"Because the color of his skin makes his future uncertain — every black boy and every black man," said Tomalin. "And at some point in that tragic interaction, Mr. Floyd realized that that day was his day to become the next name of the list too long to bear."

Mayor Rick Kriseman and Crist did not respond to the protesters' interjections.

Kriseman listed the city's accomplishments of decreasing poverty and crime through programs such as the summer workforce academies, youth development grants and programs to help develop young men into responsible adults.

"As poverty and crime have fallen, hopes and dreams have risen," said Kriseman. "And while I believe the trajectory of this city and every corner of our city remains upward, I know the dream still feels out of reach for far too many. I know the treatment of African Americans in this country causes pain for too many in our community — that pain leads to anger. I get it. I may never feel the pain of a knee on my neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, but as the mayor, as a human being, I feel the pain my community feels. And it feels awful."

Kriseman believes that St. Pete has the very best police department in the country. He appreciates officers building relationships within the community. He pointed out that this is a department that went from high-speed chases to giving high-fives to kids.

Chief Anthony Holloway, who is a black man, received more boos and intense outbursts from the few protesters in attendance when it was his turn to speak.

Vaughn is heard yelling to Holloway, "Holloway, we've got you on live being nasty and disrespectful to us," as he mentioned that he is going to be on the steps of police headquarters on June 3 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. listening to the protesters and talking to them. He emphasized that he wants protesters to feel heard, and said that as a black man, when is out of uniform outside of Tampa Bay, he has the same worries as every black person in St. Petersburg.

"I know what it feels like when I'm out of this uniform that somebody looks at me in a different way," said Holloway.

A protester responded, "Today, we looking at you different! You're not listening."

Holloway continued talking. "Also when I'm not in the Tampa Bay area, I could be stopped like Mr. Floyd." This calmed the few protesters in attendance down and the outspoken blamed it on the news media for programming people to think this way.

"The news is out here so they programming," Vaughn shouted.

Community member Matthew Byrd, a black man also spoke at the podium. He related to the anger that the black community and protesters are feeling after the death of George Floyd. He recalled the anger and not even knowing what to say after the 1996 police killing of TyRon Lewis in St. Pete. He expressed how he learned to channel that anger into energy to find solutions to help people. He addressed Vaughn letting her know he understood her anger and pain. Two city leaders, including a pastor walked over to her and another protester and gave them hugs.

Byrd mentioned that he and the Urban League are working together with a 10-point plan that has been created by them to use nationwide.

"I want to present two common-sense solutions before I leave here," said Byrd. "First, I want to challenge our leadership. I want you to help us identify every mechanism in place for citizens to hold the police accountable. I want you guys to make that process as easy as possible for us."

He expressed his love to the community followed with a challenge for community members to study what is available and not look over it, and said if it does not meet the community's needs, then for them to create a proposal to city leaders.

At the end of the meeting, some city leaders including Chief Holloway were seen hugging a black protester, Jabaar Edmond, as he expressed his frustration over the injustice he has seen and experienced as a member of the black community, and his concern for the future of his young son whose birthday is the same day he attended this city hall meeting.

They also gathered in prayer together.

Regarding the change Edmond wants to see, he told reporters that it starts with policy.

"I want to see policy and practices change," said Edmond. "Enough of pictures and photo shoots and Facebook and statements — it's enough of that."

He wants a stop to systematic racism. He wants people to stop accepting these types of teachings and practices.