Black Lives Matter Protest Set For Saturday In Stafford, LBI

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ — A Black Lives Matter protest will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday in Stafford and Long Beach Island. Members of the public will protest the killing of George Floyd and "countless other ... unjust deaths."

The Facebook event for the peaceful protest shows 201 people going and 417 interested as of Wednesday morning.

The protest will take place at the Causeway Bridge along the sidewalks. It will begin on the west side base, move east toward LBI and then turn and move west toward Manahawkin.

Organizers recommend attendees park near Marsha Drive in Stafford but advise them not to block local businesses or homes.

Stafford police released the following statement Wednesday:

"The Stafford Township Police Department is well aware of the upcoming protest march scheduled for this Saturday over the LBI Bridge. We appreciate everyone reaching out to us, and all of your concerns. Our number one priority is everyone’s safety and well being. As a department, we fully support the first amendment rights of the protesters, and we are taking every precautionary measure to ensure this is a peaceful protest march. Please follow our social media sites for accurate information. Thank you in advance for everyone’s cooperation."

All protesters must wear a mask, and organizers recommend bringing gloves, Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer. Social distancing measures will be in effect, and they will encourage protesters to keep a safe distance from people who don't come from the same household.

Floyd, a black man, was handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street Monday when then-officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Floyd became unresponsive after 2 minutes, 53 seconds, according to the criminal complaint.

Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In the wake of Floyd's death, protests against racism and police brutality have sparked around the world.

See the Facebook event for more details.

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