Cinnaminson Committee Shows Support For Peaceful Protests

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson Township Committee acknowledged the tragic incident in which a Minnesota man was killed in an incident involving police, and the ensuing protests and violence across the country Monday evening.

"These are difficult times we're going through," Cinnaminson Mayor Ryan Horner said. "My sincere wish is that everyone can take a step back and realize there are a lot of feelings in this on both sides. I want to thank our police department for working with our residents, working with protesters. We have to do the best we can to show compassion and understanding and keep the lines of communication open."

“We support the First Amendment right to public protest and law enforcement that has been entrusted with the public’s safety,” Committeeman Ernest McGill, the Public Safety liaison, said before Monday night’s meeting. “Working together and having a civil discourse is the best way to deal with this issue.”

"Thank you for supporting peaceful protests," resident Christine Turner said during the public comment portion. "I know a lot of residents appreciate that, and I do especially."

Floyd, a black man, was killed in a police-involved incident in Minnesota last week. He was handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street Monday when 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.

According to state officials, there were 30 protests over the weekend, 28 of which were peaceful. Only protests in Trenton and Atlantic City spiraled out of control, giving way to violence.

A peaceful protest march is scheduled for nearby Moorestown on Tuesday at noon.

"The organizers want all be aware, to really portray that this is organized and made to be peaceful," Moorestown police said in a statement about the march on Monday. "This is just about the community coming together and doing something for the greater good. Violence is not and will never be the goal here.

"The Moorestown Police Department recognizes that Americans have constitutionally protected rights to assemble, speak, and petition the government. The police department safeguards these First Amendment rights, but will not tolerate persons who would violently disrupt legal activities and interfere with otherwise peaceful events."

Read more here: Peaceful Protest Planned In Moorestown After George Floyd’s Death