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9 in custody as hundreds gather at rally in downtown Detroit to protest against police brutality

Posted at 10:23 AM, May 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-03 09:21:38-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Hundreds of people have gathered in downtown Detroit to protest against police brutality. This in response to the death of George Floyd who died after an officer in Minneapolis kneeled on his neck for several minutes.

For the most part, the rally has been a peaceful, non-violent demonstration. However, a police officer was hit by a rock and several police cars have suffered damage.

9 people have been taken into custody. Police Chief James Craig says 7 of them are not from the city of Detroit.

Protesters are trying to practice social distancing while marching and are wearing masks and gloves.

"If police want to behave like white supremacist mercenaries, our communities have to stand up in self-defense," the event description said.

Protesters are demanding an end and abolishment of mass prison incarceration, release of nonviolent offenders due to COVID-19, discontinued use of facial recognition technology and termination of police officers with criminal prosecution charges of murder in any excessive form of degree.