The Antelope Valley Times

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George Floyd: 200+ turn out for protest in Lancaster

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[All images by ANTHONY CHEVAL]
LANCASTER – More than 200 protesters marched through downtown Lancaster Saturday to call for justice and condemn police tactics that lead to the deaths of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, and Breonna Taylor, who was killed during a police raid of her Louisville apartment.

The demonstration began around 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Lancaster City Hall.

The lively crowd of mostly young adults chanted “Black lives matter!” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police!” as they marched east on Lancaster Boulevard to Beech Avenue, north on Beech Avenue to Kettering Street, and then west on Kettering Street to American Heroes Park.

“They blocked the streets off for us because that’s the right thing to do. We’re only invoking our first amendment,” said community activist Isabel Flax.  “It’s all love here — different colors, different skin tones — it doesn’t even matter. There’s power in numbers, they’re going to hear us.”

Agents of Change President Dr. Miguel Coronado said he worked with Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris, Councilman Darrell Dorris, City Manager Jason Caudle, and Captain Todd Webber of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station to ensure that the lines of communication were open so the protest would remain peaceful and be effective.

“The city of Lancaster provided tables, chairs, water and pizza for protesters to peacefully enjoy. Most importantly, space at American Heroes Park to share the message that black lives matter. This does not mean black lives matter more than other lives, nor that black lives are more precious than other lives. Black people just historically haven’t been treated like their lives matter at all, and this unjust treatment continues today,” Coronado explained.

“’Black Lives Matter’ is a rallying cry meant to replace the subtle voice in the back of your head that might tell you that you don’t need to care about black people as much as you care about other people. It’s meant to ring in the ears of police officers and other people whose internal decisions impact black people’s lives directly,” Coronado added.

Saturday’s demonstration in Lancaster also emphasized the importance of voting, according to Flax.

“Today [June 6] was about getting people to vote, getting people to actually make a change in a system that is not for them. And if that system is not for you then you have to get up and vote, get your people in places of power to be able to make a change in your community… that’s the way we change things,” Flax said.

Protesters also hope to bring about change through open dialogue with city and county leaders.

“In the next few weeks, Mayor R. Rex Parris, Mayor Steve Hofbauer, city, county and state officials will have a listening session with leaders of the peaceful protest in the Antelope Valley,” Coronado added.

 

67 comments for "George Floyd: 200+ turn out for protest in Lancaster"

  1. The majority of white people in the AV are racist. Including Rex. I see it every day. I hear them say racist things. They think its okay because I’m white too. Well it isn’t and I call each one out every time. I’m disgusted by their ignorance. They think Trump is a god. He’s a vile racist. Watch yourself losers as I may go off on you and you’ll definitely be sorry.

    • You’re a real hero behind your keyboard, lol. Let’s see what you have, big mouth?

      • You’re behind your keyboard, lol. You don’t believe equal justice is for all, big mouth. Maybe you should change your screen name, because it doesn’t match with what you say.

  2. Sure let’s honor ,kneel ,march for a career criminal. I think black people should live in a black only city, state and then maybe they won’t complain about being discriminated this is the only way.

    • Here’s what Christianity Today wrote about George Floyd. Just a little different than what Me wrote.

      https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html

      George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in Houston
      The rest of the country knows George Floyd from several minutes of cell phone footage captured during his final hours. But in Houston’s Third Ward, they know Floyd for how he lived for decades—a mentor to a generation of young men and a “person of peace” ushering ministries into the area.
      Before moving to Minneapolis for a job opportunity through a Christian work program, the 46-year-old spent almost his entire life in the historically black Third Ward, where he was called “Big Floyd” and regarded as an “OG,” a de-facto community leader and elder statesmen, his ministry partners say.
      Floyd spoke of breaking the cycle of violence he saw among young people and used his influence to bring outside ministries to the area to do discipleship and outreach, particularly in the Cuney Homes housing project, locally known as “the Bricks.”

      “George Floyd was a person of peace sent from the Lord that helped the gospel go forward in a place that I never lived in,” said Patrick PT Ngwolo, pastor of Resurrection Houston, which held services at Cuney.
      “The platform for us to reach that neighborhood and the hundreds of people we reached through that time and up to now was built on the backs of people like Floyd,” he told Christianity Today.

      Ngwolo and fellow leaders met Floyd in 2010. He was a towering 6-foot-6 guest who showed up at a benefit concert they put on for the Third Ward. From the start, Big Floyd made his priorities clear.
      “He said, ‘I love what you’re doing. The neighborhood need it, the community need it, and if y’all about God’s business, then that’s my business,’” said Corey Paul Davis, a Christian hip-hop artist who attended Resurrection Houston. “He said, ‘Whatever y’all need, wherever y’all need to go, tell ’em Floyd said y’all good. I got y’all.’”

      The church expanded its involvement in the area, holding Bible studies and helping out with groceries and rides to doctor’s appointments. Floyd didn’t just provide access and protection; he lent a helping hand as the church put on services, three-on-three basketball tournaments, barbecues, and community baptisms.

      “He helped push the baptism tub over, understanding that people were going to make a decision of faith and get baptized right there in the middle of the projects. He thought that was amazing,” said Ronnie Lillard, who performs under the name Reconcile. “The things that he would say to young men always referenced that God trumps street culture. I think he wanted to see young men put guns down and have Jesus instead of the streets.”

      More than 50 people have been killed over the past several years in what authorities describe as a gang war spreading from the Third Ward and southeast Houston.
      It can be hard for outsiders to gain trust, or even ensure safety, coming in on their own. The “stamp of approval” granted from a figure like Floyd is crucial for urban discipleship, which requires access, direction, and context to be effective.

      “His faith was a heart for the Third Ward that was radically changed by the gospel, and his mission was empowering other believers to be able to come in and push that gospel forth,” said Nijalon Dunn, who was baptized at Cuney. “There are things that Floyd did for us that we’ll never know until the other side of eternity. There were times where we’d have Church at the Bricks until 3 p.m., and by 4:30, they’re firing shots right at the basketball courts.”

      Dunn shared pictures of Floyd at his baptism and basketball games. Floyd’s handle included the name “BigFloyd4God.”
      Tributes and prayers of lament from fellow Christians rolled in over social media as the news of Floyd’s death spread this week. On Twitter, Davis described Floyd as “the definition of ‘Be the change you want to see’” and shared a video tribute that has been viewed 1.1 million times. Popular Christian hip-hop artist Propaganda reposted the reflections from fellow artists who knew Floyd saying, “He was a friend of my friends.”

      Floyd moved to Minnesota around 2018, his family told the Houston Chronicle. He was there for a discipleship program including a job placement, according to pastor Ngwolo. “A ‘Bricks boy’ doesn’t just leave the Third Ward and go to Minnesota!” he said. Floyd told Dunn he had plans to return this summer.

      Though he never made it home, he’ll be “immortalized in the Third Ward community forever,” Lillard said. “His mural will be on the walls. Every youth and young man growing up will know George Floyd. The people who knew him personally will remember him as a positive light. Guys from the streets look to him like, ‘Man, if he can change his life, I can change mine.’”

      Ministry leaders have heard from community members in the Third Ward who called Floyd their brother, uncle, or even their dad because they lacked older male figures to serve as a positive influence.
      Mourners gathered Tuesday night for a prayer vigil in Emancipation Park, a historic Third Ward site that was once the only park open to African Americans in Houston during Jim Crow segregation. Ngwolo is meeting this week with area pastors to lament together.
      The viral video of Floyd pinned to the pavement by a Minnesota police officer joins a devastating canon of cell phone footage depicting police using force against black men. His friends in ministry said that when it turned up on the news they weren’t ready to watch another clip so soon after the recording of Ahmaud Arbery being shot while jogging in Georgia and the video of a woman calling 911 on a black man watching birds in New York’s Central Park. But then Lillard texted: It was Big Floyd.
      There’s only so much disbelief they can muster from this kind of killing. They’re black men too. Despite their innocence, their faith, their good deeds, they have their own stories of being suspected, humiliated, and threatened by authorities, Lillard told CT.

      And now they’re put in the position of rightly remembering a man they knew as a gentle giant, an inspiration to his neighborhood, and a positive force for change. But they also say that shouldn’t matter. He was a fellow image-bearer, and that should have been enough to keep him from the aggressive treatment they saw in the viral clip. Floyd’s family and supporters say the officers involved—who were fired from the department—should face murder charges.

      Pastor Ngwolo is still trying to process the news, but one theme he keeps coming back to is the shedding of innocent blood. After Cain’s superiority and animosity drove him to kill Abel, Scripture tells us, “The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground’” (Gen. 4:10).

      “If you fast-forward 2,000 years, there’s another innocent sufferer whose blood spoke of better things than Abel’s. … Jesus’ blood says he can redeem us through these dark and perilous times,” Ngwolo said. “I have hope because just like Abel is a Christ figure, I see my brother [Floyd] as a Christ figure as well, pointing us to a greater reality. God does hear us. He hears his cry even from the ground now. Vengeance will either happen on the cross or will happen on Judgment Day.”

    • @Me : Whether George Floyd was guilty of any crime, or not, is irrelevant to the fact that he was murdered in custody. Period. No Officer is ever to allow that to happen. It’s in the training.

      As for your segregationist theories; history has proven time and time again that the incorporation of different influences into a society invariably leads to a stronger and more resilient society. Also, historical attempts at segregation invariably lead to further injustice and, potentially, eventual violence.

  3. You have right the under the First Amendment to make your racist comments and these people have the right to peacefully protest. Also, getting a job has nothing to do with the right to peacefully protest.

  5. YES ENOUGH protests already…boring . Go to work people! The corona virus is killing more black people than anyone but here you see them not keeping their distance. In a couple of weeks we’ll see the spike of deaths I guess.

  6. David Dorn was a Police Officer who was killed in the riots. He SHOULD be treated like a HERO.

    • Ron: All the comments you make demonizing the 13%, well, David Dorn was part of the 13% you demonize.

      • Well he was one of the good ones. Its the ghetto Gansta stupid ones with their pants hanging down are the ones I cant stand.

  7. George Floyd was a career criminal.. Why is he being treated like Michael Jackson? Does not deserve to be treated like a hero. HE WAS A THUG!!!

  8. I would like to know why when little Gabriel was killed nobody marched saying his life mattered, what about all the innocent children being kept in cages like animals, don’t their lives matter? Where are all the protest for them?
    But a man with a long felony criminal record gets killed his life matters, I don’t get it
    I not a religious person but I remember a story about Jesus and the emperor asked the public who to release from jail and who to crucify and the public cried out to free the criminal and crucify the innocent Jesus, everything going on today sounds like the same story. On top of that lets get right of the police, who will that benefit the criminals of course, so American public you better be prepared for whats coming

    • Girl I said something I posted on my fb page I stated this is what injustice looks like, this is what screaming I cant breath looks like. This little boy never committed crime this little boy will never grow up to be man. Where is protesters where is All kids live matters protect kids against child abuse. People should read or watch the video and listen to everything that happened to little boy , George Flyod may suffered 3 minutes but that little boy suffered his whole and every race is responsible for that babies death you say criminals life matters but a child who was torture wasn’t. I stand with you. #Gabrielslifemattered #stopchildabuse #savetheirlives

    • Little Gabriel’s life was not taken by cops and why didn’t you start a protest when it happened. Do you know if he really had a long felony record the news will say anything thats not true I know first hand and if he did doesn’t mean he should be killed. Every life matters and everyone makes mistakes. We see videos all the time of police abusing their authority but I haven’t seen videos with children in cages like animals like you say. We are already in hell so we will see way more bad than good happen in the world. It is run by the corrupt and they benefit from everything bad that happens from the drug trade to human trafficking and everything in between.

    • Your exactly right same thing a lot of people are saying seems like the protest are always for the criminals not for the ones who really deserve a protest i guess the world will continue to always look in the wrong direction on what really matters

    • Well they did say the Antelope Valley was a White Supremacist haven back in the day. I wonder why they excluded that in the infomercials. The bigoted mindset just wont fly this day and age when White folk are outnumbered by the masses. Try showing your supremacy now publically and see what happens

      • “Back in the Day the AV was White Supremacist?” What day was that? I lived in the AV in the 1960’s, 1970’s and spent alot of time there until about 2000. Never saw any KKK marches or other evidence of “white supremacy” The high school (AVHS) was fully integrated, as was AVC. Please provide some info to back up this fantasy story.

      • It’s on display in Lancaster and is the last plantation in LA County BTW we know who the slave master is, he doesn’t show when his community needs a leader.

        • He’s the same guy that sent out political hit mailers calling an African American veteran a gang candidate. Where what the outcry from our minority community leaders? They were all silent because they were and are bought and paid for by the Rex machine.

          • The minority leadership is silent because they enjoy a protected status from the political leadership in Lancaster. They like the perks of being their appointees. We need independent minority leadership to fix this.

          • If you want real change in Lancaster, you have to have voting districts. It is the only way the entire city will have representation and it is the only effective way to keep Rex from continuing to nominate yes men and women instead of people who want to serve we the people.

  9. Why is no one talking about David Dorn? Who w a killed on Facebook live by 3 black men?

  10. I find it amazing that out of 200 people making a statement about racism and NOT one elected official to be seen. There is a leadership vacuum in Lancaster that is for sure. How are those minority voices on the City Councils working out for you folks?? Sell outs!!

    • We need voting districts NOW in Lancaster so that all voices will be heard, not just Rex’s hand picked voices. The doctor is a joke.

      Voting districts NOW.

    • Actually, City Councilman Dorris (a black man) was there and had a lot to do with coordinating the event. Dr. Miguel Coronado (a hispanic man) was also there and leading the march and structured the march and several others.

      • Neither of these so call leaders that were involved earned their status, they are appointed leaders from the very entity that needs reform. Systematic control of the voice!

  11. I like this explanation:

    “This does not mean black lives matter more than other lives, nor that black lives are more precious than other lives. Black people just historically haven’t been treated like their lives matter at all, and this unjust treatment continues today”

    Thanks for making it clear. Sometimes people interpret the BLM as something else.

  12. I am happy to see people of all colors (humans) marching peacefully against systemic police brutality and murder at the hands of law enforcement. This is what I will stay focused on, because I can only do my part. There will always be people in this world that will think they are racially superior, but there are also many fine people in this world that understand that we belong to the human race.

    • Look at your own City Council most are controlled by 2 members. No change coming to the City I love.

    • I appreciate that Dave! I get so sad and disappointed reading some of these posts. It’s 2020 and some folks haven’t advanced that much. The racism is so prevalent here in the AV. I’m just trying to educate people. Maybe I can open some minds. I suspect I won’t have much success.

      a

  14. Black Lives Matters sounds racist. It should be All Lives Matter. No color lines.

    • Anyone with an IQ of 1.2 realizes with the term Black Lives Matter means. It’s the black people who are losing their lives by bad cops without penalty. The white protesters get it. Sorry, you are either uniform or sensitive to the point you feel the term is racist. Perhaps the phrase “Black Lives Matter Too” won’t inflame your sensitivities.

      • I don’t agree with the wording of Black lives matter, if you did your research you would find that double the amount of white unarmed men have been killed by police than black unarmed men. Also for every one black man killed by police 700 black people have been killed by a black person they know and those numbers come from the Washington Post that kept track from 2018 to the end of 2019.
        So if blacks are killing blacks then not even your own race believes black lives matter, so right now you all are just trying to get attention

        • Maybe the slogan should be “Black Lives Matter Too”, that way it will not imply that other lives don’t matter.

    • It should be All Lives Matter, and as soon as the Blue line figures out a better way to control itself when working with Black Lives, then maybe it can be.

      (Last major incident I too was an All Lives pro-claimer, until someone explained the problem with my statement at that moment, and it applies at this moment as well)

    • Nate, this just proves you & those like you are STILL not clear upon what BLM means… Tell us how we can make it even one half of a percent more obvious to those like yourself that think it should be “All Lives Matter”. I can try and explain it, as well as those that read/write comments here.

    • You said it right on the nose finally someone is on the right page one person said it right out of thousands

  15. I like to ask the question how come Asians dont seem to have a problem with the Police? They are not getting shot all the time by cops. Maybe its behavior and culture. Asians go to Medical School and become DOCTORS.

      • High income too. They study and go to school. Thay are polite , behave, and are smart and they are wonderful people.

    • Well Ron, maybe because they were never slaves in the history of this country. They came much later after slave labor had built our great nation.. The slaves, on the other hand, were considered less than human and were considered to be property with no human rights. Their children could actually be sold to someone and they were never to see their child again. It helped the poor whites (who were at the bottom of American society) feel superior to the slaves, since American society considered them as poor white trash. Some of that mentality still exists today. That’s why cops feel they can murder blacks in broad daylight with onlookers watching. It’s woven into the fabric of America. They get away with it time after time. Usually, there are folks on the juries that have the same mentality that you do. The world and America saw this murder and reacted to the inhumanity of the act. They understand the anger and frustration of black people. Sadly, people such as yourself still don’t get it or perhaps they refuse to get it. Are you still working on the funds to move to Montana?

      • @Mike

        Other minorities assimilated without creating a grievance industry, victimization culture and dependence on government. They just got on with it, got educated and competed until they shared power.

        You can’t say African-Americans followed that formula successfully, and subsequently, they haven’t assimilated as well as some. Black folks have to take some responsibility for their own situation.

        • @Citizens’: There are more white people than black people on food stamp assistance, but what difference does it make? You and T# think exactly the same, and it is obvious that you find yourself in a superior position which keeps you from growing.

      • Mike slavery has NOTHING TO DO WITH TODAY. That has nothing to do with wearing their pants hanging down, dressing acting like thugs. Nothing to do with having 5 kids with 3 different mothers. Not finishing high school, having a baby at 16, driving a stolen car, having drugs and a gun in the car. Getting pulled over by police and not complying with the officer. They are not going to jail because of slavery they go to jail because they commit crimes. Its called BAD BEHAVIOR!!, its the Bad Culture behavior. They are the only ones that can change it to make it better. Slavery has nothing to with looting and stealing a tv. Its a BEHAVIOR PROBLEM!!!

        • Ron: They’re protesting peacefully in Whitefish Montana, also. A grown angry man that got in their faces and got physical with the protesters was hauled off by police. Yes, Ron, white people want equal justice for black people also.

        • That angry racist I told you about Ron, threatened to punch a priest, a woman, and children that were present in Whitefish. He was arrested while being out of control with protesters. Trust me Ron, people are calling out racists and I hope it continues.

        • Well Ron, apparently you don’t many black people. I would try to point out to you where you are wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t have the will or energy to try. You are who and what you are and you will never progress beyond that. I hope you get to the promised land (Montana) where you will have peace. Maybe you can start a “fund me” page to get help with your finances to get you out of this state.

      • It will take a few years before I can live in Montana . But will go there next year for a few weeks.

      • Mike,

        In a sense, your comment about Asians not ever being “slaves” doesn’t really ring true. When the railroads were being built, the railroad companies relied almost exclusively on Chinese labor. These people were under paid, mistreated and worked to death. I firmly believe that people continue to oppress themselves simply because it is much easier to sit and complain than to work hard, go to school and rise above your circumstances in life. True, not all of us can be rich, or drive nice cars, but many people that have nice things have worked hard to get where they are at in life. With that being said, there are plenty of social programs to help people out, whether it is in education, or to find a job, or help out with childcare or housing. I think I understand that people are upset, but violence, rioting, looting and targeting and killing police under the guise of a false narrative is just plain wrong.

    • The doctor is the spoke person for City Council? This guys shows up at a car accident to pimp for our ambulance chasing Mayor. I wonder if he is reporting the income from this mouthy Republican elected official.

      • The Doctor is not credible to be your spokesperson Lancaster! We know who he works for and it’s not the agents of change, it’s the Republicans this guys wants to win over for elective office that control his message. What say you Mr. Christ and Mr. Parris is he your next Council appointment?

    • Unfortunately, Kram, Lancaster or the Antelope Valley for that matter, doesn’t have a large population like Los Angeles or New York. Also, the Valley is rather conservative and share the same mentality such as yours. Given the situation, 200 plus is decent. If you watch the news, you’d see thousands of people in other countries are protesting as well……even Japan. I commend those 200 plus protesters representing The Antelope Valley. They are taking a stand on decency and making this country live up to its creed. We are all Americans and should be treated as such. It’s easy to sit behind a computer screen in the safety of your home and take potshots at others. Kinda reminds me of a certain powerful orange guy. At the end of the day, it’s kinda cowardly.

    • Even if it’s just 1 damm person, it is a right, and still has meaning. Does it need to be a million to get a point across? There have been protests all last week in Lancaster & Palmdale. Are you counting protesters for some particular reason?