Friday, April 19, 2024 |

GALLERY: Katy for Justice holds protest against police brutality and systemic racism at Katy City Park

As the evening set, protesters rounded off the event with final guest speakers and continued to show off their signs in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Sandra Sadek

R. Hans Miller

Attendees take a moment of silence to honor George Floyd by kneeling for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time Floyd was held down by Minneapolis Police.

Sandra Sadek

R. Hans Miller

A student hold a Black Lives Matter sign on June 4, 2020 at the Katy Park.

Sandra Sadek

Students hold signs with words often used by black men in their final moments such as "Don't Shoot."

Sandra Sadek

A protest sign calling out the death of blacks at the hands of the police.

Sandra Sadek

A protest sign calling out the death of blacks at the hands of the police.

Sandra Sadek

A Katy resident wears a mask to protect himself from COVID19, adorned with the names of black people killed by police and George Floyd's final words.

Sandra Sadek

Two friends hold a protest sign together on June 2, 2020 at the Katy Park.

Sandra Sadek

A protest sign quoting Martin Luther King Jr., a famous American civil rights activist.

Sandra Sadek

Protesters of all race and background listen in to the guest speakers as they share their experiences with racism.

Sandra Sadek

The main event of the gathering was the march, which lasted around 30 minutes.

Sandra Sadek

An artwork of George Floyd, a Houston-native who died while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. His death has sparked protests across the nation.

Sandra Sadek

Attendees came in all ages and races to speak out against police brutality.

Sandra Sadek

Cole McNanna

Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins speaks to assembled protesters about experiencing racism even though he's been successful in life overall.

Cole McNanna

Hope Martin, candidate for Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner, speaks about her experiences as a veteran who is only seen as a black woman.

Cole McNanna

Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton speaks to the assembled protesters. Middleton said he works with good cops every day and one of the only ways to improve the police force is to join it and be the change protesters want to see in the world.

Cole McNanna

Texas Representative for House District 132 Gina Calanni (right) speaks to organizer Erika Alvarez (left in ball cap) at the beginning of the protest.

Cole McNanna

Cinco Ranch High School students pose together at the protest.

Cole McNanna

A protester carries a flag decorated with the names of black victims of police violence and systemic racism.

Cole McNanna

Organizer Foyin Vosunmu (left with megaphone) addresses protesters at the beginning of the protest.

Cole McNanna

Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins speaks to protesters about their need to participate in the process to make a better America by exercising their right to vote.

Cole McNanna

Seven Lakes High School students pose together at the protest.

Cole McNanna

Texas House Representative for District 132 Gina Calanni observes the protest next to Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton.

Cole McNanna

Protesters displayed the American flag in multiple ways throughout the evening with the sentiment that they hoped everyone would be able to enjoy the freedoms it represents.

R. Hans Miller

Posted Friday, June 5, 2020 2:40 am

By Cole McNanna, Sandra Sadek and R. Hans Miller

Katy for Justice, a student-led organization created by Katy ISD seniors Erika Alvarez, Foyin Dosunmu and Jeffrey Jin. Organizers' estimates of attendance prior to the event were between 1,000 and 1,100 protesters.

The event, which began at about 5 p.m. and ended just before 9 p.m., included a march around the park's eastern boundary, multiple prayer circles, teen and adult speakers as well as an extended moment of silence wherein protesters took a knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time George Floyd was held down by Minneapolis, Minn. police before his May 25 death.

Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputies said no arrests were made at the event. One disagreement between protesters was deescalated among the protesters before law enforcement had to step in.

Student speakers discussed their experiences growing up in Katy and experiencing what they say is institutionalized and microagressions during their time as Katy ISD students and in the community in general. Jin and Dosunmu attend Seven Lakes High School while Alvarez is a student at Cinco Ranch High School.

The photos in this gallery include pichtures of signage with profanity that some Katy Times Readers may find offensive.

Keywords

George Floyd, Katy, Protest, Katy for Justice, Jeffrey Jin, Erika Alvarez, Foyin Dosunmu

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Katy Times, April 18, 2024

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GALLERY: Katy for Justice holds protest against police brutality and systemic racism at Katy City Park

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