Outrage After Man Re-Enacts George Floyd Death At Protest

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Community leaders in Franklin Township expressed outrage after a man was seen yelling at a group of peaceful protesters while re-enacting George Floyd's death. The police said they are investigating the incident, which happened Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the New Jersey Department of Corrections suspended one person involved in the situation.

"We have been made aware that one of our officers participated in the filming of a hateful and disappointing video that mocked the killing of George Floyd," the New Jersey Department of Corrections said in a statement. "The individual has been suspended from their post and banned from NJDOC facilities pending a thorough and expedited investigation. We thank the community for bringing the issue to our attention."

The man was apparently imitating former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling across the neck of George Floyd. Three other people were with the man, including one person who was taking video. In the background were signs supporting President Donald Trump, as well as American flags and a sign that read “All Lives Matter.”

As the crowd nears, the man kneeling on the dummy’s neck yells, “You don’t comply, that’s what happens.” The man filming the incident yells, “Black lives matter to no one.” Another man is heard yelling, “All lives matter. Police lives matter. God Bless the police.”

Protesters responded by yelling, “George Floyd” and “Black Lives Matter” as they marched past the scene.

Town leaders said they were "appalled and saddened."

"The Franklin Township Committee and its Police Department are appalled and saddened by the revolting actions of certain individuals after Monday's locally organized peaceful march," Mayor John Bruno, Police Chief Brian Zimmer and Township Committee said in a joint statement. "This is not who we are as a community. We support the goal of this march, which is to spread awareness and to ensure a better future for all of us. Without an understanding and mutual respect for all individuals, we can never aspire to create a united community based upon the idea of human respect and dignity for all."

Police are investigating, and said they had no further comment Tuesday afternoon.

NJ PBA Local 105, the union that represents the state's corrections officers, also spoke out against the incident Tuesday afternoon.

The incident can be seen here. WARNING: VIDEOS CONTAIN STRONG AND OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE

Peaceful protests have been taking place throughout the country following Floyd’s death. Floyd, 46, died after Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video, which captured Floyd saying "I can't breathe," went viral, and sparked the nationwide protests. Read More: All 4 Minneapolis Officers Charged As Protests Continue

In many instances, police have joined protesters. In Cherry Hill, Police Chief William Monaghan invited protesters to stick around and join in a barbecue with officers. The same thing happened in Camden, with Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki marching side-by-side with protesters while carrying a sign that read, "Standing in Solidarity." Read more here: Camden Offers Picture Of Police Unity After George Floyd's Death

Collingswood police also joined the peaceful protest in their town, which was put together by a group of high school students.