Jersey City Protesters Rally At South Precinct, Mayor In Crowd

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said in a tweet he will be joining protesters marching against police brutality Monday afternoon in Jersey City.

The protest is called Justice for George Floyd and is organized by Black Men United. The marchers met at 12 p.m. at Berry Lane Park and marched up Bramhall Avenue to MLK Drive. Their final destination is a rally outside the South Precinct of the Jersey City Police Department.

As of about 1:45 p.m. there appeared to be dozens of people outside the south precinct, holding signs as officers barricaded the door. Mayor Fulop was among them.

"In solidarity," he tweeted.

"I’ll be walking today w/the protest in #JerseyCity — I see you, I hear you, + we’ll work w/you to do better as a city. I chose to walk bc the reason is right/justified. These organizers have demonstrated before peacefully + they should be supported/heard," Fulop tweeted Monday.

Here is a video a passer-by took of the protesters marching up MLK Drive, chanting "Hands up, don't shoot!"

NorthJersey.com is recording the entire protest in real time:

"Above all, we ask that we keep the peace today," said organizer Nevin Perkins, in a neon-green safety vest, as he addressed the crowd by bullhorn.

Before that, somebody could be heard yelling a curse word. Perkins replied, "Hey, stop that. That's not what we're about."

“I think it’s important for folks to realize that Minneapolis is Jersey City, Jersey City is North Bergen... once we get that type of mindset, I think we can get somewhere further," Perkins told NJ.com before Monday's march.

Here's the NorthJersey.com video:

At the rally, Perkins handed the bullhorn over to a young woman identified only as a student at Howard University.

"I speak to those who may not understand why there is so much unrest across the country ... The racist individuals who fought against black people are still alive today. The black people who staged sit-ins are still alive and well today. So there is no way that you can say that racism is a thing of the past," she said. "Because it is very much alive and well. To those minorities who feel America is the land of the free choose not to stand up for what is right. Understand that these liberties you enjoy are because of the struggles of black people in America."

She also called for a peaceful protest in Jersey City on Monday.

"Let us do so in a respectful and peaceful manner. Do not let peaceful protests be damaged by those who have an ulterior motive."

A vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday in Jersey City; its location has not been announced.

Another protest is being planned for Jersey City on Saturday, June 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. in front of City Hall at 280 Grove Street, an eponymously named Twitter page says.

Nearby in Hoboken, a protest is being planned at Maxwell Park Place on Friday, June 5 at 1 p.m. That poster subsequently encouraged participants to wear masks, "maintain social distancing protocol," and bring first aid.