Black Lives Matter Protest On East End Over George Floyd Death

RIVERHEAD, NY — As thousands of New Yorkers took to the city's streets again Saturday in a third day of heated and sometimes violent demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, two protests, including a "peaceful" Black Lives Matter event, are planned for Sunday in Riverhead.

First, according to reports, a rally will take place at 1 p.m. at Stotzky Park; the event was organized to raise funds for the Floyd family.

Next, according to a flyer for the "Say Their Names: #BlackLivesMatter" event, the rally is planned for Sunday at 3 p.m. on Main Street.

Those planning to attend are advised to wear dark or solid-colored hoodies to "show solidarity," preferably black, sneakers and comfortable clothing, including BLM merchandise.

Social distancing will be adhered to, according to organizers. Masks are required and will be handed out to those who do not have them.

Those attending are asked to bring signs, water, and a snack and are advised to eat before the event.

"Our number one priority is safety," organizers said. "This is a peaceful protest."

According to Riverhead Town officials, the 1 p.m. gathering is "a sanctioned event" organized by Eric Williams in response to death of Floyd in Minnesota.

"The leaders of this event have assured a peaceful protest," officials said.

The second event at 3 p.m, town officials said, is an "unsanctioned event", organized by Black Lives Matter Movement, for the downtown Riverhead area. "Please be advised that while the majority of the protests have been peaceful, there is a possibility of community disruption. We have contingency plans in place. The safety of our residents, businesses and visitors are our paramount concern. We are advising businesses, visitors and residents to be cognizant of these two events. "
On the North Fork, a silent Zoom vigil, "For Liberty and Justice for All," was held Saturday in response to Floyd's death.

The silent vigil was presented by the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force and the North Fork Unity Action Committee.

Demonstrations across the city and country

In New York, rallies have popped up in Harlem, Times Square, Union Square, on the West Side Highway, on the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges, at the Barclays Center, in Flatbush and at several other sites throughout the city. Similar scenes have unfolded across the United States.

Marchers and faith leaders had first gathered Thursday at Union Square, and again turned out in their hordes at Foley Square and outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Friday to protest the death of the Minnesota man who was killed with a cop's knee on his neck.

A video of Floyd, 46, with the police officer's knee on his neck as he begged for help and said, "I can't breathe" and cried out for his mother have sparked a wave of emotion across the world.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of Floyd.

While many are peaceful, some protests have marked by violence: Floyd's death sparked subsequent nights of protests, many destructive, across the country. Dozens of businesses on Lake Street and elsewhere in Minneapolis have been burned and looted.

After the large protest held in Brooklyn Friday that included pepper spray, Molotov cocktails, and at least one woman shown in a video reportedly thrown to the ground by police, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have called for independent investigation of the night's events.

A cloud of pepper spray descended over the Brooklyn rally, police armed with batons violently took down protesters and some rally goers set fires — all scenes that played out in real time on social media.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters descended on Atlantic Avenue entrance to the Barclays Center at the gathering. They chanted "George Floyd" in addition to cries of "Hands up! Don't shoot!" and "Black Lives Matter."