Hoboken Mayor Makes Statement On Friday's Floyd Protest (PHOTOS)

HOBOKEN, NJ — The day after a peaceful protest was held in Hoboken in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who participated in the protest with his family, issued this statement:

"I’m proud of our city, residents, and visitors who peacefully demonstrated in the fight for racial justice and equality yesterday. Together, we showed that a non-violent event can help lead the movement to change the way society treats people of color. I listened, learned, and remain committed to acting."

George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Four Minneapolis police officers have been charged criminally in connection with Floyd's death, and protests have taken place around New Jersey and the country.

Some news outlets estimated that 10,000 people attended the Hoboken protest. The event started at Maxwell Place Park uptown, headed south along the waterfront, then made a u-turn and continued a march up Washington Street.

Bhalla added, "I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who joined the demonstration, sharing your stories, and exercising your First Amendment rights, as well as the Hoboken Police Department for taking the precautions to keep our residents safe. Our community and country will be stronger because of it."

Bhalla and other officials who've allowed protests have taken some criticism, as the protests are larger than the 25-person limit for gatherings handed down from the state, and people were closer than 6 feet apart, a recommendation amid the spread of coronavirus. Mayors of Newark and Princeton have said that people who were close together at their protests should take a coronavirus test.

Bhalla has continually warned people not to loosen social distancing guidelines with the weather improving, and was an early proponent of restrictions in his mile-square city of 53,000 to slow the spread of the virus. The city has seen 29 deaths from the virus.

Bhalla's spokesman responded on Saturday, "Mayor Bhalla advised all residents and visitors to wear face masks and social distance whenever possible, which he and his family did his best to follow during the demonstration."

These photos were taken by Deputy City Clerk Jerry Lore.

Do you plan to take photos of local protests? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.

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