March, Peaceful Protest For George Floyd In Ocean City

4 p.m.: Crowds have dispersed, according to Mayor Jay Gillian.

"It was an example of how different people can come together to send an important message," Gillian said. "I could not be prouder of how our community and the police handled themselves, and I was glad to see Sgt. Tyrone Rolls and Lt. Pat Randles join the proceedings to offer their perspectives."

3:03 p.m.: "Ask the police chiefs in your towns what they have done to bring those meaningful changes on the ground?" said one protester.

3:01 p.m.: A white protester told white people to stand up to family members who make racist comments. "I know you all have racist families, cousins," he said. "You might let it slide because it’s just a joke."

2:57 p.m.: "I stopped getting offended when I hear the ‘n-word’ because I look in the mirror and I know I’m not that," said a black protester named Sharon. "I’m not offended when Trump calls me a thug."

2:50 p.m.: A protester says he wishes police were trained for longer in academies and got more training on deescalating situations. "If we want to change that, we need to speak out towards our legislators," he said.

2:41 p.m.: People at the rally begin nine minutes of silence. Some hold fists up, while others put their heads down. Then-officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds.

Update, 2:38 p.m.: "We’re all standing here. No violence, no riots. But everyone is getting their voice heard," said Ocean City Police Sgt. Tyrone Rolls. "In uniform, I understand it. Out of uniform, I understand it."

Rolls attended with Lt. Patrick Randles.

Update, 2:30 p.m.: Several Ocean City police officers hug and shook hands with protesters outside the Public Safety Building. They also took a knee with attendees.

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Despite some community concerns leading up to a protest for George Floyd, everything appears peaceful, according to Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian.

Hundreds have marched across the Ninth Street Bridge, many from Somers Point to Ocean City. A flyer circulated Monday on social media saying a peaceful protest for George Floyd will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the end of the Ninth Street Bridge.

Here's a stream from the protest:

Many protests for Floyd — a black man killed at the hands of Minneapolis police — have remained peaceful. But some locally and nationally have given way to violence and property destructions, including Sunday's in Atlantic City. Read more: Atlantic City Mayor Condemns Looting, Addresses Police Brutality

But it appears the protest in the Ocean City area remained safe as of publication of this article.

"Police have established command posts at both ends of the causeway, and they continue to monitor the situation," Gillian said.

Some local businesses boarded up in case looting occurred.

Photos show protesters holding signs with messages such as "silence is violence" and "black lives matter."

Bowfish Kids in Ocean City put a message in its window: "I understand that I will never understand, but I stand with you." The message has circulated to represent support of racial equality from people who aren't necessarily the victims of racism.

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