Thread by @KaleyAJohnson

I’m at the Tarrant County courthouse where a protest is planned for 6 pm in Fort Worth over the death of #GeorgeFloyd. Many are waiting on the steps already.
This guy just pulled up and blasted this song: those on the steps joined in.

Shardai South said she’s out here because her 10-year-old daughter is afraid of the police. South is a teacher and wants to teach her students that police are safe.
“But I can’t preach that if police don’t.”

Chaise and Kaley are here with first aid supplies. They were in Dallas yesterday and saw police tear gas protestors. They’ve received donations and a nurse decided to join up with them tonight too.

Susan and Michael Goff from Bedford. When I asked why they were here, Susan said:
“Because this is crazy. Why would anybody not be out here?”

Protest will begin at 6:30, organizer Darnell Ballard says.
“I think we can get our message out without getting crazy,” he said.

This woman says the white protesters should protect their black peers. Said police aim for black people and white people need to get in front of them if needed.
Also giving safety tips for tear gas.

Signs for Atatiana Jefferson, who was killed by a Fort Worth police officer 7 months ago.

This Fort Worth protest is extremely organized. Leaders encourage people to stick together, not “get crazy,” not destroy anything and look out for each other.
An organizer talked with cops earlier about where they would march.

And we are walking.

I’m not gonna try to estimate crowd size but it is a lot. Takes up more than two blocks. Marching down Weatherford now.

Paused on Commerce to kneel. Organizer yells, “it is important we do not get in the police’s face.”

Here’s a video to give you an idea of the crowd size.

“FWPD owes us:
Atatiana‘s life
Civilian oversight committee
Leaders who take action.”
#fortworth

Passing Fort Worth convention center. Chants of, “I can’t breathe.” “I will protest, get your knee of my neck.” “Black lives matter.”

Onlookers watch protestors marching below.

It’s mostly cops on bikes who are visible as we march. But when protesters got close to the interstate, officers in riot gear seemed to come out of nowhere to block the intersections. Protesters turned away on the planned route.

Walking through traffic on Weatherford

Passing Tarrant County corrections center. Still tons of people marching after about 30 minutes.

Protesters take a knee in Fort Worth after an hour of marching for #georgefloyd

Another pause during the protest. Protesters chant near the Tarrant County jail. #GeorgeFloydProtests

This woman said her 11-year-old daughter drew this sign.

Fort Worth protest - We’re walking to West 7th, where many bats and businesses are. One organizer said they want to show “the rich people” and whats going on.

Pool goers at a apartment complex watch as protesters match past. Some marchers yell “use your privilege! Join us !”

Protestors are now marching across the trinity bridge. And the police do not like it.
They are blocking the other side of the bridge and advancing.

Protesters are marching straight toward a line of police.

Again. We are on the trinity bridge in Fort Worth. Police are blocking one side. Protesters are locking arms and marching toward them.

Here’s a video. We’ve got hundreds of protesters marching toward a line of police in Fort Worth. Organizers tell them to lock arms and warn about rubber bullets.
Onlookers are watching from trinity park.

Standoff at the bridge in Fort Worth. Police in riot gear. Warning it is an unleful assembly. #GeorgeFloydProtests

This is tense and does not seem like it will end well. Protesters do not seem to be turning around. Police are warning them to do so or face arrest.

Gas masks on.

The entire bridge is on their knees chanting “hands up don’t shoot.” Police have gas masks on.

An organizer is speaking on the megaphone. Quiet on the bridge.

Some of the pool goers we passed earlier joined the march.

Now protesters moved to the sidewalks and off the road. Said they are allowed to be there.

Some protesters moved back into the road. Organizer says everyone should do as police say and walk away because they don’t want any arrests. Others yell back in disagreement.

Extremely tense close call. Leaders convincing everyone to turn away and leave the bridge. Most people seem to be listening, but some stand firm.

Police took off gas masks but some protesters are still not leaving the bridge. About half the group left. Note onlookers in the back of this photo.

Recap. Protesters started downtown, marched peacefully for about 2 hours. Now, we’re on Trinity Bridge. officers blocking protesters from going to West 7th (lots of businesses there). Leaders tried to get ppl to leave, but many will not, say theyre peaceful. #GeorgeFloydprotest

Lots of people crowded behind police watching what’s going on.
Police have a bike line, then cops on riot gear, then officers in fatigues, then a line of police cars.

No idea what happened but one man was just arrested.

This guy thought he could cross this way I guess. He does not seem to be part of the protest.

Sun begins to set in Fort Worth. Protesters still on the bridge. Been faced off with police for about 30 minutes I think.

This protest in Fort Worth has still been completely peaceful. Police are blocking protesters path to West 7th, where many businesses and museums are. #protests2020

Not the point but there’s a gorgeous sunset in Fort Worth.
Standoff continues.

Protesters shout to onlookers, “if you’re woth is, turn your flashlight on!” You can’t see well, but dozens of lights coming from the onlookers now. (Look to the back left in the 2nd photo- that’s people holding phones up)

*with
Here’s a video, might see better

Everyone’s sitting now. Someone passes our snack.

Krista Daniels and another organizer just pulled up in a car. She stood up and tried to tell everyone to leave, but a few people shouted at her.

She said that the police told her protesters would be arrested if they did not join other protesters at the courthouse.

Daniels told me she and other leaders don’t want anyone to get hurt, but “they’re grown. They can make their own choices.” Then she drove away.

Water bottles thrown at police.

Gas masks back on

Flash bombs and tear gas dispenses

Chaotic scene. Some being arrested, some throwing water bottles. Police marching toward protesters in riot gear.

Correction - this may just have been flash bombs. I don’t see any signs it was tera has.

Now we’ve got tear gas

More flash bombs. Sorry for the swearing, landed next to my foot.

Flash bombs going off. People still not leaving the bridge
Apologies for the swearing, flash bomb landed next to me

Yikes tear gas.

Got some milk. Arrests being made. Tear gas all the way west 7th as protesters back up.

Chaos as Fort Worth police keep pushing protesters down west 7th.

We’re on collier now. Police standing firm

Alright guys, editor is pulling @AMcCoyPhoto and I out. Looks like most people are leaving or left. Police are standing at 7th and summit (I think?)

Well I’m back. Police said there have been wandering groups of protesters in the area of Montgomery Plaza trying to break into stores. The only damage done so far was this broken door at Velvet Taco in West 7th.
Cop cars stakes out at all entrances to plaza
#fortworth

This guy said protesters have been walking down west 7th and police have gassed them multiple times. Here’s an officer being loaded into an ambulance, he was smiling so it doesn’t look too bad.

A group of protesters is under arrest on west 7th. Multiple officers have told us to leave but let us stay when I said we were media.

About a dozen protesters have been arrested in Fort Worth on West 7th after day long protests. This is a small group that broke off from the earlier protesters. They’ve been tear gassed several times.

This officer appears to be smoking a cigar as he stands next to arrested protesters.

Okay I’m home for good. Here are some extra photos from today’s protest in Fort Worth. Stay safe everyone.
I believe another protest is planned for tomorrow - I will be there covering for @startelegram

*west 7th bridge.
Listen, I’m from St. Louis. If you don’t name bridges after baseball players, I’m at a loss on the name.