Vigils For George Floyd Planned In Alexandria, Leaders React

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Vigils and a town hall are planned in Alexandria to honor George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans who have died. Law enforcement leaders in the city have spoken out about Floyd's killing and highlighted the need for accountability among officers.

The City of Alexandria will hold a virtual town hall called "Facing Racism. Demanding Change" on Tuesday, June 2 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Among the featured participants are Alexandria Living Legend and activist Joyce Rawling, Councilman John Taylor Chapman; Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., and Alexandria youth leader Kamryn Powell. The panel will be moderated by the Alexandria's race and social equity officer Jaqueline Tucker. Residents are invited to share their thoughts and honor Floyd.

The virtual town hall is the first in a series about racial justice, racial trauma and healing. To participate, join by Zoom at zoom.us/j/95162556812 or by phone at 312-626-6799 (Meeting ID 951 6255 6812).

At least two vigils are planned in the wake of Floyd's death. Demonstrators will gather outside Alexandria Police Headquarters at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 to protest "racist policing that manifest here in northern Virginia as well," according to the event page. The event is organized by Showing up for Racial Justice, which aims to organize white individuals to fight causes of racism. Attendees are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Another Alexandria vigil on Thursday, June 4 will be a peaceful event and "expressing anger through violence is not welcome," according to the Facebook event. Attendees will meet in the parking lot of the Charles Houston Recreation Center at 7 p.m. and walk to the front of the building. A prayer, moment of silence and remarks from community leaders will follow. Masks are encouraged for attendees.

Protests, both violent and peaceful, have broken out across the U.S. after Floyd died when a Minneapolis police officer held him down with a knee on his neck. A video of the encounter showed Floyd saying he was struggling to breathe. The involved officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged with third-degree murder. Three other officers on the scene were fired along with Chauvin.

Local protests have happened in places such as DC, Manassas and Stafford. Three people from Alexandria were among those arrested at weekend protests that escalated over the weekend, according to the Metro Police Department. Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in Richmond after confrontations between police and demonstrators turned violent Saturday night. In addition, two small fires were set at the Fallen Officer Memorial and outside the front entrance to the Fredericksburg Police Department headquarters early Sunday morning.

Alexandria's law enforcement leaders and commonwealth's attorney spoken out against the police killing of Floyd during a virtual forum held by state Dels. Mark Levine and Charniele Herring Sunday.

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said if a case like that happened in Alexandria, the officer would be booked in the jail and other involved officers would likely be charged. Along with criticizing's Chauvin actions, Brown questioned why observing officers didn't step in when Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck.

"I am and my folks are very upset about what took place in Minneapolis," said Brown. "That is not professional policing, and frankly it's a crime that we witnessed on that video."

Bryan Porter, commonwealth's attorney for Alexandria, said there is "no doubt" Chauvin and the other three officers could be charged in Virginia. In cases of officer-involved shootings and use deadly of force by Alexandria Police, investigations are handled by Virginia State Police.

Brown says in his police department, there are cases of officers who report other officers' improper behavior. The general reaction of among his Alexandria police officers is anger toward Chauvin for his behavior.

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne also responded to Floyd's killing in a statement. He said law enforcement officers are trained to do the opposite of what the Minneapolis officers did, but they need to hold each other to higher standards of conduct.

"We cannot stand by and remain silent when unacceptable conduct by our peers occurs, no matter how minor or major it ism" said Lawhorne. "We must be better for ourselves and our community as lives depend on it. I can assure you that this has been and always will be my message to my staff."

In a letter to the community, Brown also said issues in policing, the criminal justice system, and the socioeconomic arena should be addressed. He said members of law enforcement are willing to help to make changes."

"We are but one part of the underlying issues raised following the death of Mr. Floyd," said Brown. "I pray that America will stay focused on Mr. Floyd and the many victims of racial inequity that have come before him, so that they will not be lost again to short attention spans or the many distractions of our time."

SEE ALSO:

• 17 Arrested At DC Protests, Curfew In Place Sunday, Church Fire
• Police Use Pepper Spray, Deploy Flash Bangs At Manassas Protest
• VA State Of Emergency Declared After Escalating Violence: Northam
• Fires Set Outside Fredericksburg Police HQ After Day Of Protests