Protesters gathered throughout downtown Lincoln on Sunday carrying signs and chanting “I can’t breathe” in response to the the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Lincoln protesters were part of nationwide protests that erupted after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes. Prosecutors charged Chauvin with murder.
Protesters in Lincoln, Omaha and nationwide carried signs saying “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice For George” among others. During the day, protests were peaceful.
Heng Liang holds a sign saying, “Chinese Hearts Break for George Floyd” at the State Capitol in Lincoln, NE on May 31. “I feel like as a Chinese person, if we don’t step up and speak up for other races whey they are bullied, when the disaster come to us there will be no one there. I feel it’s our responsibility to come out and show our opinions,” she said.UCC (United Church of Christ) pastors, Eric Viehl, Darrell Goodwin, and Patrick Messer joined the rally to promote peace and unity at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, NE on May 31. “I stand here as an African American male with two white men who also happens to be clergy,” Goodwin said. Messner said the protests were making him look inward. “As a white man, I’ve felt quite comfortable and deluded into thinking there was such a thing as neutrality so long as I am not harboring malice in my heart towards people of color than I wasn’t the problem,” Messer said. “I’ve to learn and I am waking up to the fact that you actually have to either anti-racist working to help dismantle white supremacy that our county is built upon or that you are part of the mortar that upholds white supremacy.”Miki Montgomery speaks to the crowd gathered at the Nebraska State Capitol on May 31. Many spoke about the death of James Scurlock in Omaha on Saturday night. “That’s close to home.” Montgomery said. “I have four black boys myself. And the fact that this guy is still not paying for what he did.”Temi Onayemi waves an American that has been crossed out during the rally at the Nebraska State Capitol on May 31. “The marking on the flags were symbolizing my dissatisfaction with the country that I am living in.” Onayemi said. “The inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been foreign concepts to those who share my skin color.”Protesters gather at all corners of the State Capitol on Sunday evening on May 31.A protester sits on top of a street crossing sign during the Black Lives Matter rally at the State Capitol on May 31.
