Lang
5/30/20
A rally for George Floyd, the black man who died while Minneapolis police held him under their knees while detaining him on Monday, is set for noon today in downtown Iowa City.
Activists have arranged the rally on social media, but local governmental leaders have also become involved. Iowa City city councilor Mazahir Salih told The Press-Citizen she had requested to close down portions of Clinton Street, Iowa Avenue, Washington Street and Jefferson Street to through traffic, although protesters will be allowed to stay in their cars in designated areas due to COVID-19 precautions. The city has yet to issue a news release announcing any street closings.
Today’s rally starts at noon on the Pentacrest. Organizers are raising money to pay for a “vehicle protest”, which would involve driving up to Minneapolis to show their support following Saturday’s event.
Prosecutors charged officer Derek Chauvin on Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed and pleaded that he couldn’t breathe.