Peaceful protesters gather for ‘Black Lives Matter’ demonstration in Middletown
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A large group of community members came together on Wednesday afternoon to peacefully demonstrate against racial injustice and inequality, and police brutality against black Americans.
Despite continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as June’s high temperatures, about 150 people were on hand in downtown Middletown on Wednesday for a peaceful protest in response to the death last week of George Floyd.
Floyd died on May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis Police officers. An unarmed and handcuffed Floyd, held in connection to a report of a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store, died after an officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes as he told them he couldn’t breathe and while bystanders begged police to stop.
The Black Lives Matter demonstration, organized late last month by Middletown High School graduates CeCe Turner, Giana Tyrrell and Alle Vierra, took place from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, with protesters lining both sides of Highway 29, chanting and, at the end, kneeling in silence for nearly nine minutes.
The teens were lauded on social media for organizing a nonviolent and powerful event.
County officials, including Sheriff Brian Martin and Supervisor Moke Simon, visited the demonstration.
Cobb resident Gemini Garcia, who shared pictures and her observations about the event with Lake County News, said she didn’t know what to expect at the protest.
“I’ve seen so much violence and hate through social media and after 80 days sheltering in place I haven’t seen anything in person that reflected what’s really going on where I live,” she said.
A professional photographer, Garcia said as she arrived and walked up behind the protesters, “The chanting brought me to tears. There were at least 150 people with signs screaming for justice for George Floyd, for the end of racism, and for an end to police brutality.”
The officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, Derek Chauvin, and the three other officers with him – J.A. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao – were quickly fired after cell phone footage of Floyd’s death began to circulate. Chauvin was arrested days after Floyd’s death and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Then, on Wednesday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison also filed a second-degree murder charge against Chauvin, and announced that he and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman have filed charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter against former Kueng, Lane and Thao. Arrest warrants also were issued for Kueng, Lane and Thao.
Floyd’s death has sparked protests nationwide. In some major cities, the events have turned into violent clashes between police and protesters.
Destruction and vandalism over the weekend led to short-term curfews in the city of Santa Rose and town of Windsor, as Lake County News has reported.
But the gatherings in Lake County have been peaceful. In addition to Wednesday’s event, there was one with a few dozen participants that was held in Clearlake at Austin Park on Sunday.
Local law enforcement agencies also have made clear that what happened to Floyd was unacceptable and illegal.
The Lakeport Police Department and the Lakeport Police Officers Association issued a statement on Floyd’s death and Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White has called Floyd’s death and the actions of the officers involved “appalling.”
Sheriff Martin told Lake County News that after watching the video he immediately concluded that the police action was unjustifiable and that action should be taken against all four officers.
A meaningful event
Martin told Lake County News that he and a few of his deputies stopped by on Wednesday afternoon. He said there were other deputies in the area but they stayed away to allow a peaceful protest. “Thankfully it was and we didn’t even need to respond.”
He said he also received reports that after the demonstration the crowd cleaned up the area before leaving.
“So proud to live in this county,” Martin said.
During the event, Garcia said she saw and experienced acts of kindness, including watching as one man wearing a handkerchief for a mask carried around a box full of ice and cold bottled water for protesters. There also was a table of snacks for anyone to help themselves.
“Both sides of the street people were united, sweating, yelling and egged on by the honks and shouts of nearly every car and truck driving by,” Garcia said.
“I am proud of this little place we live in. I am grateful for this community of support for black lives and all lives. Rest In Peace, George Floyd. May your memory contribute to the world changing for the better,” she added.
Another demonstration organized by a different group of individuals is set to take place on Main Street in Lakeport starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.