New Route Planned For George Floyd Protest In Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A new route has been announced for a peaceful protest march in Moorestown that will take place in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Moorestown police said Tuesday morning.

The march will now begin at town hall at noon Tuesday afternoon, with the group marching to Main Street and back, according to the police department.

“The organizers want all be aware, to really portray that this is organized and made to be peaceful,” police said in a statement. “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."

According to a flyer about the protest that was posted online, marchers will practice social distancing, and water bottles and masks will be available for anyone who needs them. They said the march should take about 45 minutes.

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.

The new route is begins at town hall, heads south on Church Street, east on Main Street to Chester Avenue and back to town hall. Main Street will be closed between Church Street and Chester Avenue. Drivers should seek an alternate route. Officers will be on location to assist with traffic.

“The Moorestown Police Department recognizes that Americans have constitutionally protected rights to assemble, speak, and petition the government,” police said. “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.”

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.