Hundreds of Tucsonans held a vigil Monday evening to remember George Floyd and other black victims of police violence.
The vigil came one week after the death of Floyd, the unarmed black man who died during an arrest in Minneapolis. Like many cities across the country, the downtown area in Tucson saw several protests over the weekend that led to at least $200,000 in property damage and 19 arrests, according to Tucson police.
Monday's vigil was a peaceful, yet forceful, gathering.
A few minutes before the vigil started, about 500 people stood in a parking lot by the Dunbar Pavilion on West 2nd Street. By the time the vigil was over an hour or so later, several hundred more people had joined them. The crowd was a mix of ages, genders, and races.
People in the crowd held up signs reading "No Justice, No Peace," "Open Your Eyes," "Enough is Enough," and "My Sons are Not Prey." One little girl held a sign reading "I Matter."
About a dozen speakers took the stage. Some shared stories of loved ones who were killed by police officers. Several repeatedly urged the crowd to vote, particularly in the upcoming election for Pima County attorney.Â
Shannoah Green called for accountability from the police and elected officials. She read off the names of black people who were killed by police while their faces appeared on an electronic screen behind her. The crowdclapped as she read the names, growing louder as she read each one.
Another speaker, Jamal Givens, led the crowd in chants of "I can" and "do something" and urged the crowd to "not forget what has happened."Â
At the end of the vigil, the crowd held up candles and lights on their cellphones for nearly nine minutes, the same amount of time a Minneapolis police officer is accused of keeping his knee on the back of Floyd's neck.
After the speakers urged the crowd to calmly head home to observe the 8 p.m. curfew, a small group of protesters took the stage holding signs reading "Jail killer cops" and "Revolution is the cure." The vigil organizers tried to get them to come down from the stage, which they eventually did without incident.
Photos: Tucsonans hold a candlelight vigil honoring George Floyd
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A supporter starts to get emotional while holder her fist in the air during a moment of silence at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Hundreds of supporters bring candles in honor for George Floyd after listening to speeches during a candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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After listening to a speech, Valentina Givens, center right, and her friend Jonah Plemons, center left, raise their hands with hundreds of supporters and shout "Enough is Enough" as they gather at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A candle with a sign dedicated to George Floyd sits on a bench while speakers Zion Givens and Jamar Anthony speak to hundreds of supporters as they gather at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Izzy Graves lights her candle during a candlelight vigil in honor of George Floyd at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A supporter raises his hand in the air while hundreds of supporters gather at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Jamar Anthony with D.J.'s against hunger raises his hands while giving a speech at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Brandon Dailey raises his hand and light on his phone during a moment of silence in honor of George Floyd at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Many supporters raise their fists, phones and signs during a moment of silence at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Candles rest on the floor while supporters raised their fists during a moment of silence at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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After the candlelight vigil, a few supporters stayed to pray in front of lit candles at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A sign sits next to candles while supporters continue to add candles to the vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A supporter uses a candle to light all candles after the candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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While wearing a "I can't Breathe" mask, Sunny Wilson, center, claps with other Tucsonans after a speech at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Supporters raise their phones and hands during a moment of silence at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Valentina Givens, left, her friend Jonah Plemons and Givens mother Raquel Givens, finish making their signs before the candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Covaughn Johnson speaks during a candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A supporter places a lit candle along with other candles during a candle light vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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A supporter in the back raises a "Black Lives Matter" sign during a speech at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Members of the Tucson Police Department stand with fellow Tucsonans during a candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Natalie Nguyen finishes decorating for the candlelight vigil at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Mayor Regina Romero is escorted to the inside of The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., before the candlelight vigil in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
Candlelight Vigil
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Speakers Jamar Anthony and Zion Givens speak to hundreds of supporters as they gather at The Dunbar Pavilion: An African American Arts & Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd St., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 1, 2020, for a peaceful vigil in recognition of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, and other African-Americans that have died in police custody.
