Protesters gather in West Covina shouting messages of justice for the murder of George Floyd on June 1. The protestors were on the I-10 freeway overpass in pressing signs against both sides of the freeway chain link fence barriers. Most of those protesting for equality were of Causcasian and Latinx ethnic backgrounds and stood united yelling Floyd’s name in defiance.
Handwritten messages on signs read “STOP KILLING US!!!,” “RACISM IS NOT GETTING WORSE, IT’S GETTING FILMED” and the evergreen “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
“It’s not even really a killing, it’s a murder,” West Covina resident Christopher Arroyo said.
Although the protest in West Covina was peaceful, a heavy police presence was present with blockades at all of the Eastland Center entrances and exits, and on the overpass. Blockades were also set-up on both sides of the protestors with eight police officers displaying light riot gear. The officers had their standard police gear and were equipped with batons, helmets, pepper balls and masks.
Many of the protestors were eager to speak up about how the murder of Floyd has affected them. However even though most of the people tried to lead a peaceful protest one person seemed to be instigating the officers. The person’s intentions were not shared by the rest of the protestors, making vulgar gestures to police and pleading with them to “do something.”
“I was outraged,” Julie Mui, 36, said. “It’s just something that shouldn’t happen in this day and age, we’re just hoping for peace and coming together for everyone.”
The protest had three points of expression: Black Lives Matter, justice for George Floyd and unity among the people. The protestors were physically energetic but were also tired. They were tired of the police brutality, unjust killings, seeing the same news on social media and tired of fighting for the equality that naturally comes with being human.
“I’m tired of seeing the same thing, I’m not even on social media and I’m still constantly hearing about these things,” West Covina resident Meadow Cloud said.
Cloud was very adamant about explaining her views on the situation at hand. She felt “tired of the police brutality” and hoped that the effort people are putting into protesting will “bring change” and “construct curiosity” for people who aren’t aware of the current issue.
The thousands of unjust murders like Phillando Castille, Trayvon Martin and now George Floyd have tired the people in this community and refuse to sit idly by any longer.
Numerous protests across the country have started. Police brutality has risen causing many cities to riot against their local authorities. Many people found rage at the recent incidents, but there are two distinct patterns for handling these issues.
One is a more violent route, by pillaging and rioting. While the other route is peaceful, by protesting.
There has been blending of these two separate groups of people and the line is not fine. People protesting in West Covina were more than happy to express their concerns to the destruction in the nation.
“I’m against that, however I do understand the frustration and I understand their rage,” Cloud said. “It comes from passion and love and history; I definitely understand not having an outlet but rioting is just not the way.”
