‘Crime against humanity’: Large crowd on Oahu take the streets to protest the death of George Floyd

Posted: May 30, 2020 / 01:40 PM HST / Updated: May 30, 2020 / 10:01 PM HST

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Many marched to protest George Floyd’s death on Saturday afternoon, May 30.

Floyd died after 44-year-old Derek Chauvin was seen pressing his knee against the back of the man’s neck. This was caught on video by a witness.

As the officer continued to press his knee down, the victim could be heard in the video saying that he could not breathe.

This video went viral online and sparked high tensions throughout the nation.

Since the release of the footage, the officer was recently charged with murder in the third-degree and manslaughter in the second-degree.

Despite this, peaceful protests, angry mobs, and riots continue across the country. Small businesses were damaged and looted. A Minneapolis police precinct was even set on fire.

Watching what unfolded around our country last night felt like looking through a window into another reality. The death of George Floyd is a tragedy for our country in a time where tragedy seems to be almost commonplace…
— Kirk Caldwell (@MayorKirkHNL) May 30, 2020

Meanwhile on Oahu, many marched from Waikiki to Ala Moana Beach Park. Though the crowd outnumbered police presence, the protest remained peaceful. They stood along the sidewalk of Ala Moana Boulevard and chanted to spread this message: Black Lives Matter.

(Protesters in the Ala Moana area grow, hundreds show up demanding police reform)

“No justice, no peace. Prosecute the police” and “I can’t breathe” were some of the chants that the group shouted. Those passing by on the road honked in support.

“What happened to that man is a complete crime against humanity, not just against black people,” said Nick Johnson, who took part in this event.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_3303.jpg — Protester holds up a sign that says, “If you want us to stop protesting, stop killing black people.”

Minutes into their arrival, protesters blocked eastbound traffic on the crosswalk of the intersection of Piikoi and Ala Moana Boulevard. They remained for several minutes before enforcement issued them a warning and moved them off the road.

Officers said that they didn’t want a violent repeat of what has been happening in the mainland.

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