‘We stand together’: NAACP rallies with local police chiefs and Sheriff to denounce the killing of George Floyd

Posted on June 8, 2020
During the rally, 250 people participated in an almost nine minute moment of silence to honor the life of George Floyd. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – At the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts’ footsteps, the local branch of the NAACP rallied with three local police chiefs and Not In Our Town to denounce the killing of George Floyd.

“I am speaking on behalf of the chiefs (Bloomington Police Chief Dan Donath and Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner) and Sheriff (McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage) here today and all of our agencies to make it clear to our community that we too condemn the actions of the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd. Including those officers who stood by and failed to act,” Illinois State University Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said in front of a crowd of 250.

Members of the local police force stood with the NAACP to denounce the killing of George Floyd. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

On May 25, George Floyd, 46, died handcuffed behind his back on a Minneapolis, Minnesota street, while a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

“We believe in de-escalation training; we need that. And if we value life, then we value making sure that we don’t cause no harm while you are in our custody or while we are talking to you,” Linda Foster, President of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP said. “And they will do the least about of harm if there is…There are plans to talk about it and put it together. What are some of those things that we need addressed?

WATCH: Members of the NAACP, Bloomington, Normal and ISU Police hold their fists up in solidarity to honor the life of George Floyd.

“We stand together because we believe that we are entitled to a better community, better relationships, better policies and procedures, better representation, and reform.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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