George Floyd: Hundreds turn out for Black Lives Matter rally, demonstration in Englewood

ENGLEWOOD — Hundreds turned out for a Black Lives Matter rally and demonstration Friday afternoon that began with a march from Centennial Park to the Englewood Government Center.

The gathering outside the center recognized the Memorial Day death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Speakers presented information on getting out the vote for the presidential election in November. Speakers also addressed racial injustices that have sparked protests across the nation in the wake of Floyd’s death.

Many in the crowd outside the government center also took a knee to commemorate the 8 minutes and 46 seconds a police officer kept his knee on Floyd’s neck, killing him.

As many as two people were given medical attention during the march and protest because of heat-related issues. Temperatures in the Dayton area reached into the 80s, according to Storm Center 7 meteorologists.

Englewood police closed traffic on Union between West Wenger Road and West National Road (U.S. 40), and West National between Main Street (state Route 48) and Union for the event.

© 2020 Cox Media Group