George Floyd protests in Mississippi

Further information: Murder of George Floyd

George Floyd protests in Mississippi
Part of George Floyd protests
Date	May 29 – June 6, 2020 (1 week and 1 day)
Location	Mississippi, United States
Caused by	Police brutality Institutional racism against African Americans[1][2] Reaction to the murder of George Floyd Economic, racial and social inequality[2]

This is a list of protests related to the murder of George Floyd in Mississippi, United States.

Locations

Biloxi

On May 30, about 50 people protested peacefully with signs and bullhorns along Beach Boulevard in front of the Biloxi Lighthouse. More than 60 demonstrated in the same place on May 31 as passing motorists honked horns in solidarity.^[3][4]

Gulfport

On June 6, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jones Park and marched down Highway 90 in support of Black Lives Matter. The protest remained peaceful, despite rumors that bricks were present to rile up emotions.^[5]

Hattiesburg

About 30 protesters, waving signs and chanting, marched peacefully on May 31 down Hardy Street, escorted by city police cars. An organizer of the event marched with her hands cuffed symbolically behind her back.^[6]

About two weeks later, another protest was held, this one with over 1,000 participants.^[7]

Jackson

On Friday, May 29, about 25 demonstrators peacefully protested in front of the Mississippi State Capitol and marched through downtown Jackson.^[8] On June 6, between 3,000 and 5,000 protesters gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally in front of the state capitol. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba attended the rally. Mississippi Highway Patrol distributed masks to protesters.^[9]

Meridian

On June 2, a peaceful protest took place on North Hills Street, starting with four protesters and growing into the evening.^[10]

Another protest was held on June 6 with several hundred protesters.^[11]

Oxford

About 300 people peacefully demonstrated and marched around The Square for a couple of hours on May 30.^[12] That same afternoon, Ole Miss university police arrested a white public school teacher for vandalizing a Confederate statue on campus with spray paint.^[13]

Petal

On May 28 at least 200 people protested outside Petal City Hall on Friday night, demanding that Mayor Hal Marx resign after he made a comment defending the police regarding George Floyd's murder and saying "I didn't see anything unreasonable."^[14] One elderly woman walked three miles (4.8 km) with symbolic chains around her feet to get to the protest.^[15] Protests in Petal continued through the weekend^[16] and protesters showed up Tuesday June 2 at the city's Board of Aldermen meeting to demand Marx's resignation.^[17]

Starkville

On June 6, thousands of protesters marched from Unity Park to the Amphitheater at Mississippi State University, lying down on their stomachs for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to honor George Floyd.^[18]

Tupelo

Several hundred people protested peacefully at the Tupelo Fairpark on May 30.^[19]

Vicksburg

On June 5, a large peaceful protest took place as demonstrators marched from the Vicksburg Police Department through the streets of downtown to protest the murder of George Floyd. The event was organized in part by the NAACP.^[20][21]

References

1. Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
2. Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
3. Flippo, Lukas (May 30, 2020). "Peaceful demonstration in Biloxi joins nationwide protests over George Floyd's death". Biloxi Sun Herald. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
4. Newton, Alyssa; Flippo, Lukas (May 31, 2020). "'We're hurting.' 60 cry out for George Floyd and their own at 2nd day of Biloxi protests". Biloxi Sun Herald. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
5. "'No justice, no peace:' Hundreds gather for Gulfport peaceful protest". WLOX. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
6. Beveridge, Lici (May 31, 2020). "Hattiesburg protest on George Floyd's death: 'Facebook is not enough'". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
7. "Hattiesburg protesters call for change, equality". WDAM. June 13, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
8. Jackson, Courtney Ann (May 30, 2020). "Peaceful protest takes place outside Mississippi State Capitol". Retrieved May 30, 2020.
9. Johnson, Troy (June 7, 2020), Rally to honor George Floyd, promote change held in Jackson, retrieved June 16, 2020
10. Williams, Tom (June 2, 2020). "Protesters gather on North Hills St. in peaceful demonstration". WTOK-TV. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
11. "Hundreds gather in Meridian for peaceful protest". WLBT. June 6, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
12. Suss, Nick (May 31, 2020). "How Ole Miss athletics, city of Oxford have responded to George Floyd's death, nationwide protests". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
13. Jackson, Wilton (May 31, 2020). "Mississippi teacher accused of vandalizing Ole Miss statue amid George Floyd protests". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
14. Beveridge, Lici (May 28, 2020). "Who is Hal Marx?: Mississippi mayor under fire over George Floyd social media comments". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
15. "Protesters call for ouster of Petal mayor over George Floyd death comments". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
16. Petersen, Anne Helen (June 3, 2020). "Why The Small Protests In Small Towns Across America Matter". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
17. "Protesters show up at board meeting, continue call for Mississippi mayor's resignation". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
18. Horka, Tyler (June 6, 2020). "'Moving forward': How Starkville, Mississippi State joined for a peaceful protest". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
19. Journal, TAYLOR VANCE Daily (June 6, 2020). "'We're here for change': Tupelo citizens rebel against systemic racism, police brutality". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
20. Adams, Ross; Powell, Shaleeka (June 5, 2020). "Large crowd attends march in Vicksburg". WAPT. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
21. Apel, Therese (June 5, 2020). "Hundreds turn out for peaceful protest in Vicksburg". WLBT NBC 3. Retrieved May 6, 2023.