LOCAL

Protests continue for George Floyd in Franklin County as Waynesboro residents demonstrate

Ben Destefan
The Record Herald

A group of more than 70 people gathered on Center Square in downtown Waynesboro on Tuesday for a peaceful demonstration against police brutality and to promote justice for George Floyd.

Floyd's death has sparked protests nationally after he died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. The white officer who pressed his knee against the neck of Floyd, a black man, for several minutes has since been charged with murder.

Demonstrators gathered on Center Square in downtown Waynesboro on Tuesday.

People held signs and chanted Tuesday in Waynesboro, with drivers frequently honking their horns as they passed by.

"Thank you all for coming out. Waynesboro needs a voice," Tyler Burton, 21, said to the crowd through a megaphone. "I stand for all as one. All lives matter. But, all lives cannot matter until black lives matter."

The number of demonstrators varied throughout the afternoon, growing to its largest size a little after 2 p.m.

Demonstrators gathered on Center Square in downtown Waynesboro on Tuesday.

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"When things like this happen, when a man is murdered for no reason, people have to stand up," said William Hagen, 69. "And people have to stand up regardless of what color they are or what they look like."

As of 6 p.m., people were still gathered in support of a cause.

"I came by and saw this and just kind of jumped in," Connie Warrenfeltz said. "I'm 64, I still remember the Civil Rights Movement even though I was a little kid, and I cannot believe here we are. But, this (demonstration) is huge for this town. I couldn't be more proud."

Demonstrators gathered on Center Square in downtown Waynesboro on Tuesday.

The Waynesboro Police Department acknowledged the demonstration online, making the following statement:

"The Constitution guarantees the right of individuals to peaceably assemble to demonstrate and protest. Our sworn oath of office requires that we support, obey and defend the Constitution. Peaceable assembly and free speech will not be compromised by members of this department nor will we vouchsafe the behavior of those who may use peaceful assembly as a veil to incite violence or damage to property."

Ben Destefan is a Gannett reporter based in Waynesboro.