Floyd protest shuts down SR 408 in Orlando as demonstrations continue across US
ORLANDO, Fla.– Here’s the latest on protests taking place in Orlando following the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed earlier this week by a now-fired Minneapolis police officer who was seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck until he drew his last breath.
Orlando police confirm at least six arrests were made while officers attempted to break up a group of protesters who were blocking traffic on State Road 408 earlier in the day.
Officials said the demonstration began as a peaceful one but when officers asked demonstrators to clear the area, some began throwing objects at officers, prompting them to deploy a chemical agent in an effort to break up the crowd, police said.
“Officers will maintain a presence throughout the city and monitor activity overnight, looking out for the safety of our citizens, our peaceful demonstrators, and our local businesses,” a spokesperson for the police department said.
In a tweet from the Orlando Police Department, Chief Orlando Rolon addresses the demonstrations that took place in downtown Orlando, saying the gathering on State Road 408 Saturday afternoon began as a peaceful protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week but took a turn when some protesters began throwing objects at Orlando officers who asked demonstrators who were blocking traffic to clear the area.
The actions of the protesters prompted officers to deploy a chemical agent in hopes of breaking up the crowd, Rolon said. According to Orlando police, at least six arrests were made in the process. Police said small groups of demonstrators still gathered in other parts of the city at that time.
