George Floyd Protest To Be Held In Phoenixville Friday

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A demonstration protesting the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is planned in downtown Phoenixville on Friday afternoon.

The event will take place at 2 p.m. on June 5 in front of the Colonial Theatre on Bridge Street. The "Peace for Equality" demonstration is being organized by Phoenixville Area High School students.

Organizers say they are cooperating with local authorities in putting together the event, which they said will be peaceful. All attendees are urged to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines.

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"We want our voices heard and we emphasize peace," organizers said. "Phoenixville is a diverse community full of accepting individuals and we believe in protesting in unity against this reoccuring racism. We will stand with our Mayor, our law enforcement, our people, and our town. This borough does not tolerate hatred and injustice, so we shall peacefully stand together against it."

Several related protests have occurred around the suburbs in recent days, including Norristown and West Chester, and elsewhere.

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Floyd, 46, died last week after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes while three other officers looked on.