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Momentum Against Police Brutality Continues With Sunday March

george floyd protest cincinnati
Jason Whitman
/
WVXU
Two Black men raise their hands as they listen to an organizer speak during a Black Lives Matter rally and march calling for racial justice following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Saturday, June 28, 2020.

The group Cincinnati For Racial Justice held a protest against police brutality at Washington Park on Sunday, calling it a continuation of its first march that took place on June 7 and attracted thousands

That march attracted the largest crowd of that weekend's demonstrations, which WVXU photographer Jason Whitman at the time called "massive." This past Sunday's event was no different, boasting a large crowd but, according to Whitman, not as many as two weeks ago.

george floyd protests cincinnati
Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
/
WVXU
Demonstrators prepare to march during a Black Lives Matter rally and march calling for racial justice following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Saturday, June 28, 2020, in Cincinnati.

The second event's listing on Facebook says "we must keep the momentum going" and urges prospective attendees to make "it bigger and better than last time!" 

The demonstration was held in honor of the recent killings of Black men and women by white police officers, a movement that has taken over not just Cincinnati but the entire nation after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd for nearly nine minutes on May 25, ultimately killing him.

george floyd protests cincinnati
Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
/
WVXU

Whitman reported the demonstration was peaceful, with one noticeable difference from the last march: Some attendees openly carrying fire arms. 

george floyd protests cincinnati
Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
/
WVXU
Organizers sit on the back of a truck in front of the march during a Black Lives Matter rally and march Saturday, June 28, 2020, in Cincinnati.

One man carried an assault-style rifle, though it is unclear if he was with the demonstrators. 

george floyd protests cincinnati
Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
/
WVXU
A man carrying an assault-style rifle and 9mm handgun listens to a speaker during a Black Lives Matter rally Saturday, June 28, 2020, in Cincinnati.

The group gathered at Washington Park marched to the Hamilton County Courthouse and City Hall, where a week ago Black artists painted a "Black Lives Matter" street mural on Plum Street, before returning to Washington Park.

george floyd protests cincinnati
Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
/
WVXU

Jennifer Merritt brings 20 years of "tra-digital" journalism experience to WVXU.