New Protest Over George Floyd's Death Planned For Hampton Bays

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — East End residents will once again get the chance to protest against the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The "Justice for George Floyd Protest and March" is slated to take place Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Hampton Bays train station on Good Ground Road. Those gathering are asked to wear masks and social distance as possible, as well as to bring signs.

The group will march through Hampton Bays either once or twice, depending on the size of the crowd.

The protest and march is organized by Lisa Votino.

"We are moved to action after the vicious and callous murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police," Votino wrote on the Facebook event page. "We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters all over the country who demand an end to racist policing. We also remember two other recent victims of deadly racism, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, and the sadly all too long list of other victims."

Protesters will also join forces in "an act of solidarity for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time George Floyd had a knee crushing his neck," Votino said. "Please participate in whatever way is personally comfortable to you (just remember George Floyd didn't have that option). Some will choose to lay in the road on their stomachs, others will take a knee, some will sit. It is important for people to think and feel how long eight minutes and 46 seconds is."

Those that would like to participate, but are at a higher risk for coronavirus are asked to park on Main Street in Hampton Bays in either direction and put signs outside their cars facing the road. Marchers will be asked to do the same.

All are welcome. Those with questions should email LMVotino@gmail.com.

"Please do this if you hear any rumors as there are many people who would like to silence these protests by instilling fear," she said. "Don't let hate win."

More than 85 protests have been held across Suffolk County after Floyd's death on May 25; four former Minneapolis police officers were charged in the killing. Ex-officer Derek Chauvin faces a second-degree murder charge.

County Executive Steve Bellone credited the fact that in Suffolk, the gatherings have been largely without incident to both those rallying, and to the efforts of the Suffolk County Police Department.

However, there have been protests that sparked controversy: In Smithtown, some counter protesters hurled racial slurs and reportedly attacked a group of young adults as tensions rose on both sides.

Counter protesters also clashed with protesters in Merrick last week. Some residents yelled "Go west!", urging the protesters to head toward Freeport, which has a diverse population. Merrick is more than 90 percent white.

In West Babylon, a man was arrested after he drove his truck toward a teen protester last week, police said. The teen told police the man had yelled, "White lives matter. You don't belong here. Get out of my neighborhood."

Nearly a dozen protesters were arrested and two police officers were injured over the weekend during demonstrations in Merrick. Officers stopped protesters from marching on the Meadowbrook Parkway, leading to clashes.

Protests have been ongoing in Shirley, but only two arrests were reported; a pregnant woman was also reportedly injured.

On the East End, protests have been held in Riverhead, Peconic, Greenport, Bridgehampton, Southampton, Westhampton Beach, Sag Harbor, and East Hampton; despite crowds that sometimes surpassed 1,000, no incidents were reported.