DETROIT (WXYZ) — On the seventh day of local protests in Detroit, marchers were joined by some key figures in the city.
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Detroit Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey and players joined protesters on Thursday, committing to walking along with demonstrators to bring awareness stop to police brutality.
The protest ended earlier than previous nights, although still past the city's 8 p.m. curfew. Leaders and marchers returned to the Detroit Police Department headquarters before 8:30 p.m. They held a short debriefing which included a moment of silence for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Malice Green and others.
WATCH LIVE: Protesters take to the streets of Detroit for the 7th straight day
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey joined some of his players in a protest in Detroit.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 4, 2020
Casey said he and his players talked about what they could do to help. "This is something where we can be a part of the community," he said. pic.twitter.com/lQfv3lBSjk
As demonstrators gathered outside the Detroit Police Headquarters around 4 p.m. on Thursday, organizer Tristan Taylor discussed some demands which include: ending of project green light in the city, demilitarization of the DPD, that all charges be dropped against protesters that have been arrested, cops removed from inside the schools, stopped eviction orders, as well as other demands.
Wednesday's protest in Detroit ended with a victory march as Detroit Police Chief James Craig said he would support the movement by allowing participants to continue marching past the city's 8 p.m. curfew.
"I support the voice. I support peaceful protest," Craig said Wednesday, a half hour past the 8 p.m. curfew as marchers continued down East Jefferson Avenue near downtown.
[con’t] Demonstrators start to march down Mich. towards city hall. #Detorit pic.twitter.com/jNhdygptoD
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) June 4, 2020
Bianca Charles is a DPS teacher and decided to march and make her voice heard.
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) June 4, 2020
She says justice still needs to be served in the #GeorgeFloyd murder case. She was also critical of how police have detained protesters. @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/m3AUXzDw48
It's unclear if the same will apply regarding the curfew on Thursday.
On the seventh day of local protests, and the 10th day of protests nationally, the family of George Floyd held his funeral in Minneapolis.
On Memorial Day weekend, Floyd was killed when ex-officer Derek Chauvin was captured on camera holding his knee on Flyod's neck until he became unconscious. Floyd later died. Three other officers involved have been arrested and charged.
