Angry Demonstrators in Temple Terrace Join Nationwide Protest
Several hundred people gather at the corner corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue to protest the deaths of black African-Americans, most recently George Floyd who died on May 25 in Minnesota.
by Chip Weiner
Several hundred people took to the streets of Temple Terrace today to protest recent killings of black Americans, most recently George Floyd. Floyd, an African-American man who was in handcuffs and died in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020 when Derek Chauvin, a white Minnesota police officer allegedly held him down for more than eight minutes with his knee on Floyd’s neck. Chauvin was fired and eventually charged with murder.
The rally takes place at the corner of 56th street and Fowler Ave in Temple Terrace.
The demonstration, hosted by the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, started at the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue. Protesters then marched south on 56th St. walking the Temple Terrace Police Department where organizers gave speeches about Blacks dying due to police brutality in the United States. The gathering was mostly peaceful with the exception of a man who entered the crowd criticizing Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society and accusing them of crimes. The man did not identify himself and left shortly after the confrontation.
Passersby in cars and trucks honk in support of the demonstration
One lone counter-protester objects to the organization hosting the event-Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society- accusing them of crimes and other malicious activity. He does not identify himself and leaves peacefully.
The protest is hosted by Tampa By Students for a Democratic Society.
Law enforcement was not involved until after the speeches in front of the Temple Terrace Police Department when Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to direct the crowd off of 56th street they were blocking . When the crowd did not comply, police began redirecting traffic and the protests continued, moving north back to Fowler Avenue and eventually blocking that thoroughfare as well.
Protesters march south on 56th Street. toward the Temple Terrace Police Department The crowd, eventually blocking the entire street, chant slogans and hold signs criticizing recent death of African-Americans at the hands of police.
Protesters regroup in front of the Temple Terrace Police Department where speeches highlight the anger from recent deaths.. There was no interaction from the Temple Terrace Police Department and the building was closed.
The Florida Highway Patrol, assisting in traffic control, is confronted by demonstrators calling for the abolition of police.
Protesters block 56th Street in both directions and law enforcement are forced to redirect traffic
Protesters block the intersection of Fowler and 56th Street in Temple Terrace as part of the demonstration on police brutality
Demonstrators block traffic along Fowler Avenue bearing signs and chanting in protest of recent killings of African-Americans