TAMPA, Fla. — The City of Tampa honored George Floyd by illuminating Old City Hall in crimson and gold, the colors of his high school Alma mater in Houston.
Many stood in silence downtown for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honor of Floyd.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD: Old City Hall in #Tampa is lit up in crimson and gold, the colors of Floyd’s Alma mater in Houston. Many are observing a moment of silence for 8 minutes & 46 seconds. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/BTEhsMkpsL
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) June 9, 2020
Edwin Narain brought his children to witness the special moment.
"America was born out of protest so at the end of the day it’s good for them to see that there are multiple ways to protest," said Narain. "You can march in the streets and you can also take 8 minutes and 46 seconds and stand in silence."
More than 300 people marched through the streets of Ybor City Monday. At one point, dozens sat down in protest blocking traffic at 22nd Street and 13th Avenue.
HAPPENING NOW: protesters block traffic at 22nd Street in Ybor, near 13th Ave along 275. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/lG7yYwIGQG
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) June 9, 2020
"What we’re pushing is police accountability and community controlling the police by way of a civilian police accountability council," said organizer Enya Silva.
The peaceful protest Monday night lasted several hours and saw no arrests or property damage.
"I love seeing people out here supporting the Black Lives Matter movement because it gets the message out there that we’re all important," AJ Perry, a student at Blake High School.
