In Trenton, a peaceful Saturday protest against racism and police brutality (photos and video)

Photos and video by Krystal Knapp

About 400 people gathered in front of the State House in Trenton on Saturday afternoon to protest police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, the black man who was suffocated to death by a police officer in Minneapolis. The rally was the first of several planned in the coming days in the capital city. Protesters are also planning to hold another peaceful gathering in front of the State House again Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The rally will begin with speeches, followed by a march and a candlelight vigil.

On Saturday, dozens of people spoke out about the need for systemic change to end the cycle of violence against blacks by police. Mothers told stories about how they fear for their children’s lives as they grow up. Children talked about their own fears of a parent being pulled over for a traffic stop and killed. Some residents also recalled times when they were arrested, with one resident saying she was handcuffed by police when she was just 10 years old.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora appeared at the rally for about two minutes at the beginning and expressed his solidarity with the group before dashing off, while some people in the audience chanted “recall,” “recall,” because of the recent turmoil between the mayor and council in Trenton amidst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protesters attempted to keep proper social distance at the rally, and most wore masks. Organizers also distributed free masks to people who needed them.

Plain-clothed police officers regularly drove by the rally in unmarked cars and the only negative interaction with officers appeared to be when two policemen told a group of protesters to move out of the street and onto the sidewalk in front of the State House. But more than a hundred protesters were already in the street as the crowd grew, so a few protesters began directing traffic. Most drivers who passed by honked in solidarity. The protest ended after about 90 minutes.