NORTH CAROLINA -- After George Floyd's memorial service in North Carolina Saturday drew thousands of people, thousands more flooded major city streets for protests.
Spectrum News reporter Evan Sery was on scene in downtown Raleigh as protesters gathered in the afternoon. Protest organizers wanted the crowd to know their message; "This is a marathon not a sprint, we need to be able to breathe this time.”
Protests were very peaceful. There were many volunteer medics and good Samaritans on-hand with water and food because of the heat.
Demonstrations in Raleigh ended in a vigil by the state capital Sunday, where everyone will get a candle to light in honor of the victims of racial injustices.
Organizers asked protesters to keep it peaceful, and to not touch anything or anyone’s property.
Spectrum News reporter Rose Eikler was on scene in Boone. Protesters walked from App State Circle down to the court house. There were at least 1,000 people gathered. Both the Appalachian State police chief and Boone police chief were walking side-by-side with the protest's organizers.
They all knelt together and police handed out water. Organizers had speakers for what turned out to be a "truly powerful" demonstration. The organizer was the only black student in his class at Watauga High School several years ago, so he says he felt this needed to happen. The protest ended around 8 p.m.
Spectrum News reporter Estephany Escobar was on scene at Marshall Park in Charlotte where protesters set up a prayer vigil. The vigil displayed images of black men killed my police or vigilantes. A group called "Be Original, Lead Differently" handed out sandwiches, cold water, and chips to those gathered at the park.
According to organizers, they do not plan to march tonight. They say it is a night to get to know your neighbors and your community in the park.
In Greensboro, Spectrum News reporters Taylor Neuman and Ashley Claster were on scene. Over 2,500 people were gathered together in downtown Greensboro at Lebauer Park for “Blackout North Carolina,” which is an anti-police brutality demonstration.
Protesters stopped at the Guilford County court house as a band played. The crowd grew larger as protesters marched along the streets. By 8 p.m., when curfew started, the streets were empty.
On Monday, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan announced that she will be lifting the city's curfew after being "encouraged by the willingness of protesters to organize peaceful demonstrations and engage in meaningful dialogue."
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