Protesters Take to Streets of Downtown Canton on Sunday Evening
CANTON (News Talk 1480 WHBC) – Once again, Stark County citizens took to the streets of downtown Canton to protest police brutality following the death of George Floyd.
The protest was believed to have started around 8:00 PM. A group of over 100 people marched throughout the city, followed by even more people in cars. Here is a thread of our live coverage throughout the evening.
BREAKING: Protestors have once again taken to the streets of downtown Canton. Here is the corner of 9th and Market. @1480whbc pic.twitter.com/rqsxZqBbo8
— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) June 1, 2020
WHBC caught up with the protest at the corner of 9th Street and Market Avenue across the street from the library downtown. The crowd as filled with people of different ages, races and backgrounds.
Dozens are children were in attendance with their parents. Leaders put a heavy emphasis on keeping the protest peaceful to ensure tear gas would not be used, as it was on Friday.
Cars are lined up for blocks following the crowd down Market. Very peaceful so far. One speaker mentioned establishing a stopping point so everyone is safe. @1480whbc pic.twitter.com/2QMiWuibIk
— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) June 1, 2020
The protest continued to make its way downtown. The group would stop every few streets where different people in the crowd would speak.
A group of young protesters were seen throwing chairs off of this window of RiteAid on Market. The group quickly ran away after the chair was thrown. Older protesters put a quick stop to the situation. Crowd looping around now. @1480whbc pic.twitter.com/il5ImBPiom
— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) June 1, 2020
There was some damage done during Sunday evening’s protest. A few windows of buildings along Market Avenue were smashed by protesters who were walking by. One of the most notable being a window at RiteAid next to the construction site of Centennial Plaza.
“We are going to keep chanting and we are going to keep it peaceful! They can’t touch us if we keep it peaceful!” – Man in the yellow hat @1480whbc pic.twitter.com/ihS9rfSCh0
— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) June 1, 2020
City hall was the area where the protest came to a powerful end. People spoke on the steps of city hall while cars parked along Cleveland Avenue honking their horns in support. While the street was filled with vehicles following along, protesters left one lane open for traffic to continue.
A 60 second moment of silence wraps up the nine minute demonstration @1480whbc pic.twitter.com/MAAKykmo7L
— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) June 1, 2020
A demonstration in the street followed the speeches at city hall. A small group laid in the middle of Cleveland Avenue in front of the Frank T Bow building for nine minutes , the time the officer arrested in connection with the murder of George Floyd stood on his neck.
Following the demonstration cars used both sides of Market Avenue to travel North. A large chunk of the crowd then went home at around 11:15 p.m. Head to WHBC’s Facebook page to view our live coverage from the protests.
