Protesters reach Gordon River after marching down U.S. 41 on second night of protests in Naples
In Naples, halfway across the Gordon River bridge, a line of law enforcement met a crowd of protesters Tuesday night.
The march was part of a larger collective of protests happening throughout the country in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, died in police custody after Officer Derek Michael Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck during the arrest. Chauvin faces third-degree murder and manslaughter charges related to Floyd's death.
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The group of around 200, mostly young people, started at the Collier County Courthouse before moving to U.S. 41 on route to the city of Naples for their peaceful protest.
Before beginning their march, protesters gathered with signs, some of which read "No Justice, No Peace" and "Black Lives Matter."
Protesters chanted "George Floyd" and "Black Lives Matter" to the beat of a drum at the courthouse.
Tharina Oris, a senior at Golden Gate High School, said she attended the protest hoping to see change in the community.
"I see a degree of racism here and a degree of separation," Oris said. "It’s a systemic issue. Not only are people being killed in the streets but it’s bigger than that.”
She's been fighting for the Black Lives Matter movement since she was 13 and will continue to do so, Oris said.
"If you are a person who values other human lives you should be fighting too," Oris said.
Samuel Jean Baptiste, 18, of Naples, said he felt obligated to participate in the protest.
"If we stay inside and we watch this it doesn't feel good,” Baptiste said. “With everything that's happening everybody can see it's wrong and we have to come and show our support."
The Tuesday night protest halted at the bridge after protesters made their way around a law enforcement blockade at U.S. 41 and Davis Boulevard.
On Tuesday, the string of law enforcement was situated ahead of the intersection where deputies attempted to reroute protesters up Davis Boulevard.
But protesters moved around the line and continued moving west on U.S. 41 until the law enforcement line held on the Gordon River bridge.
Elvin Jacques, 18, of Naples and a senior at Naples High School, said he attended the protest because he is sick of police brutality and racism.
“It needs to stop and it's not right. Regardless of your skin color we are all equal,” Jacques said. “We've been doing all the praying, holding hands and crying. We are tired all of that and we are tired of waiting for it to get better."
Jacques said he was racially profiled by law enforcement officers in the Naples-area twice within the past couple months.
"Right now, I'm scared to go outside,” Jacques said. “I feel like there's a target right on my back. We had no choice but to deliver our message, we had no choice.”
Both sides of U.S. 41 were shut down for much of the evening as protesters marched down the street beginning around 5:30 p.m. then dispersing around 9 p.m.
The law enforcement line on U.S. 41 moved back multiple times, which allowed protesters to continue their march. At points protesters chanted for the law enforcement officers to walk with them.
A similar protest Monday night drew more than 350 people ultimately reaching Fifth Avenue South, the well-known street in Naples.
Information regarding arrests, injuries or property damage related to the protest was not available as of Tuesday night, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
View Naples Daily News' Facebook Live on Monday, June 1, 2020.
In Lee County:Peaceful Black Lives Matter protest held in Bonita Springs
And:Crowd honors George Floyd on fourth day of Fort Myers protests
Upcoming SWFL rallies
There will be a Justice for George Floyd rally at 1 p.m. Thursday, demanding justice, equality and the "just prosecution for his murderers," according to a meetup.com post.
The rally is set to take place at the Fort Myers Police Department's address, 2210 Widman Way.
A peaceful protest is set to take place in Collier County at the intersection of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard near the Publix from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
In case you missed it:Florida police officer on leave after kneeling on man’s neck
Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring signs, wear masks due to COVID-19 and be respectful.
The Collier County branch of the NAACP has planned a "peaceful rally/solidarity demonstration" at 6 p.m. June 10 at the Collier County Courthouse steps, 3315 Tamiami Trail East in Naples.
Organizers ask those attending the rally, called "We can't breathe,' bring their own signs. Those attending may speak on Floyd's death.