Protests held in San Clemente over George Floyd’s death
Several dozen protesters — some dressed in black — marched from North Beach through the city’s downtown at midafternoon Sunday in one of two demonstrations in the city decrying the death of George Floyd.
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As they marched, the protesters chanted, “No justice, no peace” and some held signs, saying “White Silence = Compliance” and “When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”
The group headed down Avenida Del Mar and joined a crowd of more than 700 people at the Pier Bowl.
“We are all deeply saddened and angered about the senseless murder of George Floyd,” said resident Eva O’Keefe. “We are hoping cool heads prevail, and we can honor the legacy of George Floyd peacefully.”
Floyd was killed when a Minneapolis police officer held a knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes as he gasped, “I can’t breathe.”
Among the crowd at Pier Bowl adding their voices to the chants were parents with children in strollers, kids on bikes and skateboards, people carrying surfboards and boogie boards. Some sat on the grass on blankets. Many were wearing masks in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This entire city reeks of white privilege and everyone is plugging their noses,” event organizer Olivia Fuentes,19, screamed through a bullhorn.
Choking back emotion, she thanked the protestors for showing up.
She organized the event because she said she believes San Clemente is not doing enough to stop police brutality.
“I hope to change the minds of people that hear us,” she said.
Esther Mafouta, 18, was also there to support the cause.
“Seven years ago, I was at a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles for Eric Garner,” she said. “Seven years later, the same thing is still happening. I’m using my voice to call for change.”
By around 5 p.m., dozens of counter-demonstrators had arrived and were heckling the protesters from across the street. As the two groups shouted at each other, about a dozen officers on motorcycles kept them apart.
Bassad Pesci, who was leading the counterprotesters, said he represented America First!
“I’m here because these people are misguided,” he said. “I’m here to drop truth bombs – I don’t want violence.”
Some who wanted to support demonstrators while avoiding potential coronavirus infection formed a car caravan that followed protestors from North Beach, along El Camino Real down Avenida Del Mar to the Pier Bowl.
Among them was Ashly Fox, a local yoga therapist and real estate agent.
“We wanted a way to stand in solidarity with the protestors and send a clear message to the community that racism is not tolerated and welcome here,” Fox said.
Some shop owners proactively boarded up their businesses and closed early. Others remained in their stores. A few protests around Southern California on Saturday turned violent, including in Santa Ana.
Earlier Sunday, Councilman Gene James walked the city’s Avenida Del Mar to gauge how merchants were preparing.
“The last 72 hours trouble me and create a need to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” said James. “I have had communications with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and city management. It is my opinion OCSD is preparing to the best of their abilities.”
That scenario hadn’t developed as of about 8 p.m. Sunday.
A few small groups of protesters and counterprotesters lingered in the parking lot near the Pier Bowl, with police on horses and motorcycles keeping them apart.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Department SWAT vehicle with four deputies hanging off the sides drove past the remaining protesters as a sheriff’s helicopter circled overhead.
By nightfall, there were no arrests.
“The Sheriff’s department came down with a goal in mind to keep the peace,” said Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Pucket. “As we’ve seen with other events, people have come with opposing viewpoints. The public is on edge and we understand that. We’re just here to make sure everyone has a safe day.”