Temecula Protest Over George Floyd Killing Draws Hundreds

TEMECULA, CA — A demonstration drew hundreds to the Temecula Duck Pond and shut down a major street Saturday afternoon as people protested the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

Authorities shut down Rancho California Road east of Interstate 15 as as protesters marched along Ynez Road, according to a Press-Enterprise reporter at the scene.

Earlier, at least one person at the protest was struck and injured by a vehicle in an apparent accident, the Riverside County Sheriff’s department said.

One person suffered minor injuries and the driver, who lost control of the vehicle, stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Police do not believe the crash was intentional, but are investigating.

The peaceful protest began at 10 a.m. Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed Monday after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes while Floyd, 46, begged for air.

Protests over Floyd’s death have spread to cities across the U.S., turning violent in some cases as police officers clashed with demonstrators and some businesses damaged by looters.

In Temecula, protesters clad in black stood along the side of the road, holding signs and chanting “Black lives matter” as cars honked in support, videos shared on social media show. More than 500 people were present at one point, the Press-Enterprise reported.

A Facebook page for the protest said it was organized by people “fed up with seeing our Black brothers and sisters being murdered by law enforcement and justice never being served.”

“We will be spreading awareness about police brutality and racism in the justice system as well as handing out resources people can use to urge the DA to get the officers responsible for George Floyd’s murder charged with their crimes.”

Attendees were also encouraged to wear masks to safeguard against the coronavirus. A demonstration was also held Saturday at the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside.

Derek Chauvin, 44, the now-former officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

City News Service contributed to this report.