George Floyd protests in South Carolina

George Floyd protests in South Carolina
Part of George Floyd protests
Protestors in Charleston on May 30, 2020
Date	May 30 – June 20, 2020 (3 weeks)
Location	South Carolina, 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]

Cities in South Carolina in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held (

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This is a list of protests in South Carolina related to the murder of George Floyd.

Locations

Business in downtown Charleston with boarded windows on May 31 after protests escalated the previous night.

Aiken

On May 30, more than 50 protestors marched peacefully down Newberry Street in Downtown Aiken past the Aiken County Courthouse.^[3]

Anderson

On June 3, up to 500 people peacefully marched in the streets downtown to support Black Lives Matter and George Floyd, walking twice around the Anderson County Courthouse.^[4]

Beaufort

Several protested the murder of George Floyd and the death of Trey Pringle, a black man who died after being tased by sheriff's deputies in 2018.^[5]

Bluffton

Hundreds paraded near Eagle Field to protest the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.^[6]

Charleston

SWAT units imposing a curfew in Charleston County on May 31.

The city issued a curfew after protests resulted in vandalism of public property and statues and some protesters threw rocks at police and citizens. Additionally, several businesses and restaurants had glass windows busted. Two men wearing MAGA hats were assaulted. At one point, police in riot gear used tear gas to stall protesters. Protesters halted traffic on Interstate-26.^[7] The following day, a group of 200 protesters formed in Marion Square.^[8] One protester, identified as Gee Jordan, was arrested in Marion Square after praising police officers, having stated "I love each and every one of you. [...] I am not your enemy. You are not my enemy."^[9][10] He was charged with "disobeying lawful order" and has since been released from jail on bond.^[9][10] Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds defended the arrest, stating that "We specifically asked for [the protesters], numerous times, to disperse. We said if you don't, you will be arrested".^[10][11]

Columbia

On May 30, 2020, protesters marched from the South Carolina Statehouse to the city of Columbia police station.^[12] Several businesses and restaurants in the nearby business district were vandalized. Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin announced a mandatory 6 p.m. curfew for the city. Four police officers were injured, one critically. Later that night shots were fired at police, and the shooters were arrested. The officers did not return fire.^[13]

Florence

On June 10, around fifty doctors and nurses held a moment of silence for eight minutes and forty-six seconds outside the MUSC Health Florence Medical Center to honor George Floyd.^[14]

Fort Mill

On June 4, over 1,000 protestors peacefully marched down S.C. 160 to protest George Floyd's murder and support Black Lives Matter.^[15][16]

Greenville

On May 30, two protests were held at Peace Center and Falls Park. Not affiliated with Black Lives Matter, the first event was attended by Mayor Knox White. About 300 people marched at the second protest, some arrests were made.^[17]

Hilton Head

Thousands gathered on June 7 for a protest following a vehicle procession.^[18]

Myrtle Beach

Hundreds of protesters attended a rally downtown on the morning of May 31.^[19][20] Protesters initially blocked the entrance to the Myrtle Beach Police Station in what felt like a "standoff" but when officers joined in and the Chief addressed the crowd cheered.^[21] Mayor Brenda Bethune declared a civil emergency due to a "credible threat" against police related to the protest. A curfew was set to start at 7pm May 31.^[22][23]

North Augusta

On June 20, hundreds of protestors organized by Unify: North Augusta marched from the North Augusta Municipal Building down Georgia Avenue to Calhoun Park. Protestors centered around the Merriweather Monument at a rally held in Calhoun Park with chants for removal of the monument commemorating the Hamburg Massacre.^[24]

North Charleston

On June 4, around 100 protesters marched from Park Circle down to East Montague Avenue to rally against police brutality.^[25]

Rock Hill

On May 30, a peaceful protest was held at Fountain Park.^[26]

Sumter

On May 30, a peaceful protest was held outside the Sumter Police Department to voice support for George Floyd.^[27]

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. Wood, Larry (May 30, 2020). "'No justice! No peace!': Peaceful protesters march in solidarity for George Floyd in downtown Aiken". Post and Courier. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
4. Mayo, Nikie; Brown, Kirk; Ellis, Mike (June 3, 2020). "Protesters march in downtown Anderson after George Floyd's death". The Anderson Independent-Mail. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
5. Fastenau, Stephen (June 3, 2020). "Beaufort protesters continue to seek justice in deaths at police hands, ends to racism". The Island Packet. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
6. Kokal, Katherine (June 7, 2020). "Weekend rallies 'for justice and change' planned in Beaufort, Bluffton and on Hilton Head". The Island Packet. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
7. Phillips, Sydney Pendrick, Patrick (June 9, 2020). "Curfew now in effect in Charleston County following George Floyd protests". www.live5news.com.
8. Schiferl, Jenna (May 31, 2020). "Charleston quiets as curfew takes effect Sunday evening; Ravenel bridge never broached". Post and Courier.
9. Way, Rob (June 2, 2020). "VIDEO: Charleston protester arrested minutes after praising police". Live 5 WCSC. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
10. Cohen, Li (June 2, 2020). "A protester knelt down to tell police he loves and respects them. They threw him in jail". CBS News. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
11. Cranney, Joseph (June 1, 2020). "He told Charleston police, 'I am not your enemy.' Then he was handcuffed". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
12. WACH, Hannah Robinson (May 30, 2020). "Protests beginning in Columbia". WPDE. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
13. "Protest in Columbia turns violent; rocks thrown, police cars set on fire". WYFF. May 31, 2020.
14. "MUSC Florence staffers speak out for George Floyd". The Morning News. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
15. https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/community/article243266551.html
16. "Protesters fill the streets of Fort Mill, peacefully marching for equality". June 4, 2020.
17. Nicholson, Zoe; Walters, Haley. "LIVE updates: As night approaches, protests continue in downtown Greenville". The Greenville News. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
18. Coombs, Jessica (June 7, 2020). "South Carolinians call for justice at peaceful protest on Hilton Head Island". WSAV. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
19. Altman-Devilbiss, Alexx (May 31, 2020). "Peaceful protest held in Downtown Myrtle Beach for George Floyd". WPDE. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
20. Lang, Alex (May 31, 2020). "'No justice, no peace': Dozens rally in downtown Myrtle Beach against police brutality". Myrtle Beach Online.
21. Spechko, Victoria (May 31, 2020). "Myrtle Beach Police Chief, officers join protesters outside police department". WPDE. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
22. Thomas, Elizabeth (May 31, 2020). "Myrtle Beach declares Civil Emergency after 'credible threat' against MBPD". WPDE. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
23. "Businesses 'strongly encouraged to close' during Myrtle Beach curfew". WMBF News. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
24. Hodges, Lindsey (June 20, 2020). "'Take it down': North Augustans protest for Black lives, removal of Meriwether Monument". Post and Courier. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
25. Floyd, Jerrel; Schiferl, Jenna (June 4, 2020). "North Charleston protesters marched through Park Circle in honor of George Floyd". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
26. Oliveto, Hannah; Aldridge, Zach (May 30, 2020). "Hundreds March For George Floyd In Rock Hill". WCCB. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
27. Haywood, Kayland (May 31, 2020). "Protesters gather at the Sumter Police Department to remember death of George Floyd". WLTX. Retrieved June 13, 2020.