Sarasota marchers protest the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. This protest was peaceful

Dozens of people are marching in Sarasota on Saturday evening to protest the death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man whose arrest and ensuing death has sparked nationwide outrage and, in some instances, violence.

The march started at about 8:30 p.m. in the Newtown neighborhood of North Sarasota. There were no reports of violence at the local demonstration.

Willie Charles Shaw, a member of the Sarasota City Commission, preceded the march with a prayer.

“Save us, oh God, from those who hate us,” he said.

The march was one of numerous rallies across the country to protest the death of Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer was caught on video holding his knee on his neck for more than 8 minutes on May 25 in Minneapolis. Many of the protests, including in Tampa and Miami, have turned violent — but not in Sarasota on Saturday night.

In a follow-up interview, Shaw said it was time for a positive change in society, and the only solution was to unify against hatred. Saturday’s march was part of that effort.

Speaking through his face mask, a protest sign in hand, Shaw said he wanted to create a better world for the country’s youth.

“These are our children,” he said. “These are the next generation. This is our future. It’s our responsibility to do this.”

One marcher held a sign from the ANSWER Coalition. “Stop Police Terror,” it read.

The group blocked a lane of traffic as they Marched down Dr. Martin Luther King Way, and at one point they stood in the middle of an intersection, at North Washington Boulevard, but most drivers didn’t seem to mind.

Some joined in the chant — “No justice, no peace” — while another gave a thumbs up from his window.

A small block party soon formed nearby, adjacent to the intersection and across the street from Moore’s Grocery. People from the neighborhood joined marchers in dancing and singing to the tune of “Say It Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

James Burke, a resident of the Newtown neighborhood, sat on a bench and watched the demonstration.

As the marchers gathered nearby, Burke said he reflected on the death of Floyd, and the strained relationship between law enforcement and black communities.

“I feel we need some justice,” he said.

The protest was organized by the Rodney Mitchell Foundation and joined by Black Lives Matter Manasota and ANSWER Suncoast Coalition.

“I’m determined to get justice for my son,” said Natasha Clemons, Mitchell’s mother and head of the foundation. “I won’t stop until those officers responsible are arrested and prosecuted.”

Mitchell was shot dead by two Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies in 2012 during a traffic stop when he accelerated his Jeep towards the deputies. His mother has maintained that the deputies didn’t need to shoot him.

“I think they need to tear it down. If that’s the only way we can get justice, tear it down, “ she said. “Being peaceful didn’t get nowhere.”

Lisa Bellavance, 57, of Sarasota, was among the protesters.

“This has been going on for far too long,” Bellavance said. “This is 2000-what and we are revisiting a part of our history. That is shameful.

Change won’t come if somebody doesn’t stand up, she added.

There was no visible presence by the Sarasota Police Department as protesters marched back and forth on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The protest began across the street from the Newtown police substation but there were no police vehicles or officers in sight.

Moments before protesters began their march, Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino issued a statement to the community.

“I was shocked and outraged by the actions and conduct of the Minneapolis police officer and the inaction of the other officers I observed on the video,” DiPino said. “The senseless death of Mr. Floyd is tragic, heartbreaking and never should have happened. We grieve with his family, friends, and his community.”

DiPino denounced tactics seen in the videos from Minneapolis.

“The actions of the officers in Minneapolis were inexcusable,” DiPino said.

This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 9:21 PM.