Community Corner
Next Worcester George Floyd Protest Planned For Saturday
The "Justice For George Floyd" rally will take place behind city hall on Saturday afternoon.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester activists are planning to hold another rally over the killing of George Floyd. The "Justice For George Floyd" rally will begin Saturday at noon behind city hall on the Worcester Common, according to organizers.
The event will be the first large, organized protest since Monday, when more than 1,000 people gathered on the Worcester Common for a rally and march against police brutality. The event was co-organized by City Councilor Khrystian King.
That Monday event was entirely peaceful. Later that night a smaller group of protesters marched down Main Street. Worcester riot police responded, which led to a confrontation where police deployed pepper balls and other projectiles. Nineteen people ended up getting arrested, including one man now facing federal charges for possessing incendiary devices.
Worcester police said that several officers were hit by objects thrown by protesters, and at least one officer was burned by fireworks aimed at police.
In the aftermath, Clark University leaders released a statement on Tuesday saying they will no longer hire Worcester police to cover events on campus. Four Clark students were among those arrested on Monday.
City leaders, including Mayor Joseph Petty, and the Worcester Police Patrolman's Union criticized Clark's response.
"Despite who we are as a department and individuals, and despite our record within our community, we have been painted with a broad brush by many as criminals and as murderers," the Worcester police union said in a statement on Wednesday. "Is that the $60,000 per year education one receives at Clark University — teaching students to make sweeping character assassinations of an entire group of public safety workers though admitting you don’t know the facts or circumstances?"
Large protests have been happening in cities and towns across the U.S. since the May 25 killing of Floyd in Minneapolis. He died after an officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 9 minutes. That officer, Derek Chauvin, and three others have been charged in connection to the death.
Worcester leaders, including Chief Steven Sargent, have denounced the actions of the Minneapolis officers.
Read more coverage of recent protests in Worcester:
