Waukesha Police 'Thankful' For Peaceful Protests Monday

WAUKESHA, WI — Carrying signs that read "white silence equals violence," "I can't breathe" and "black lives matter," demonstrators marched through the streets of Waukesha Monday to protest the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in police custody last weekend.

By Monday afternoon, the protesters were seen kneeling with uniformed police officers. In one video captured by a participant, Waukesha police were seen elbow bumping and giving protesters hugs as they walked across a controlled intersection. In a post made on Facebook Monday, Waukesha police said they were thankful the demonstrations remained peaceful during the afternoon hours.

In a similar sentiment, Waukesha Sheriff's deputies were seen acting cordially to protesters Monday afternoon.

The marchers started out at Frame Park Monday morning and ended up congregating outside the Waukesha County Courthouse at just after 11 a.m. Authorities set up metal gates in front of the building. Members of the group took a knee in front of the building, chanting "no justice, no peace, no racist police," and "black lives matter."

Fox 6 is covering the Waukesha demonstration live, and it appears to be of a peaceful variety as of 11:30 a.m. Monday. Fox is reporting that both Waukesha police and members of the Sheriff's department spoke with members of the group indicating they're largely in solidarity with those mourning the death of Floyd last week.

#Waukesha Protestors gathered in front of the Waukesha Court House pic.twitter.com/WLwRd65MQp
— VDC Photo News (@VDCphotoNEWS) June" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/VDCphotoNE... 1, 2020

At just after 11 a.m., several members of the Waukesha County Sheriff's office stood calmly behind the barricades watching the event unfold. The deputies were donned in their day-to-day duty uniforms as a number of demonstrators shouted at them.

Law enforcement officers wearing protective vests stood watch on the balconies of the courthouse, and Waukesha police officers stood watch across the street. Several officers could be seen watching from the courthouse windows.

At about 11:40 a.m., the group took back to the streets from the courthouse reportedly for Frame Park after no apparent incidents outside the courthouse.