#BREAKING: Protesters are getting ready to march from the San Diego County Administration building to the Pride Flag in the Hillcrest neighborhood.
Heavy police presence around the perimeter, but National Guard troops I spoke with say the situation is peaceful. (Thread)
#DEVELOPING: A crowd of hundreds begin peacefully marching through the downtown San Diego area, as National Guard troops stand by. A guard member waved hello to me. (Thread)
#DEVELOPING: A woman carries a sign that says “The World is watching” —just one of the many slogans in addition to people holding signs with the names of George, Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
Lots of families with small children out today.
(Thread)
Anti-police brutality protest organizer:
“Black lives matter! Black trans lives matter! Black lives matter! Black trans lives matter! Say her name—Breonna Taylor!” (Thread) #SanDiegoprotest
Protesters chant “No justice, no peace—no racist police.”
SDPD officers leading the massive group up ahead on motorcycles. (Thread)
Protest organizers hand out face masks to crowd as they march, as there are still anti-coronavirus measures in place in San Diego County that require face coverings around people you don’t live with. Social distancing rules not being followed. (Thread)
Protesters chant “F**k Donald Trump .” (Thread)
A band started playing music as the crowd approached Hillcrest—the last destination of the planned route.
The young black man in the pink sweatshirt was making sure protesters didn’t advance past a certain line, while volunteer medics walked along the outside. (Thread)
SDPD officers carrying zip ties watch outside local businesses as protesters peacefully march past them. No sight of National Guard Troops along route at this point. (Thread)
Crowd starts chanting “Kimberly Martinez your ID is in the front,” as organizers announce they found a lost ID and iPhone. The young woman eventually made her way up to the small stage area and retrieved her ID leading to laughter, cheers, and applause from the crowd. (Thread)
Organizers share final comments before crowd dispersed, encouraging people to support small biz, lesbian & gay biz owners, biz of color, & encouraging people to register to vote/vote in Nov.
“In order for this to be more than a trend, you guys have to take this to the tables.”
More SDPD officers stand by with zip ties as crowd dispersed.
•2 officers I spoke with said everything had stayed peaceful.
•Organizer says he was told 7,000+ people participated.
•Still trying to confirm whether any arrests were made today.
Images from today’s #sandiegoprotests:
A man burned sage during the march.
A butterfly landed on a protester’s poster honoring George Floyd.
Businesses along protest route show support for BLM.
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