Black Lives Matter Protesters To March In Port Jefferson Village

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — A Black Lives Matter protest is scheduled Thursday afternoon in Port Jefferson Village, according to the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The protesters are slated to gather at 4:30 p.m. at the Village's Long Island Railroad station and march at 5 p.m. They'll head down Main Street and end at Port Jeff Village Hall, where they'll give speeches. Port Jefferson Village government, PJ Code, the MTA and the Suffolk County Police Department are all aware of the event, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

The organizers are Stony Brook University students, according to the Chamber of Commerce. The group reached out to the Village last week about holding a march, Mayor Margot Garant said in a letter.

"They met and spoke to our Village officials, we had a respectful conversation about the march route, certain rules and regulations that they would have to follow," Garant wrote.

The organizers agreed to the Village's terms, paid for a permit and also paid an obligatory amount to cover several code officers who will be working overtime, Garant said.

"This is being advertised by the BLM group as a peaceful march down Main Street, followed by a short speech in front of Village Hall," Garant said. "While we understand that the intent is to remain peaceful and in an utmost of caution, our Code Bureau has met with the SCPD and the LIRR Police to ensure that the protesters stay within the roadway on Main Street, do not stray into other areas, and remain peaceful during their protest march."

The Village will have support and resources from Suffolk and LIRR police, according to Garant.

"Again, we are hoping for the peaceful march this group has promised, but we have made preparations to safeguard our residents, visitors and businesses," Garant said.

Marches against police brutality have taken place throughout the country following the May 25 death of George Floyd. Four former Minneapolis police officers were charged in connection with Floyd's death; ex-officer Derek Chauvin faces a second-degree murder charge.