Protests over death of George Floyd reach Modesto; police leaders reassure community
As Modestans joined people around the country in demonstrating against the death of George Floyd while in police custody, Stanislaus County law enforcement leaders reassured residents that they found the actions of the officer involved abhorrent.
Floyd, who was black, was in handcuffs and in the custody of four white Minneapolis officers when he died May 25.
Authorities on Friday filed charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter against officer Derek Chauvin, 44, who kneeled for nearly nine minutes on Floyd’s neck. Chauvin and other officers involved in the incident, which was recorded by bystanders, were fired soon after.
Protests, in many cases violent, have cropped up across the country in the wake of Floyd’s death. A Modesto community organization, We CARE (Creating Action for Restored Empowerment) planned a peaceful demonstration in downtown Modesto Saturday afternoon.
A few dozen people had gathered by 12:30 and were developing plans to march to either the district attorney’s office or police station.
Bianca, who declined to give her last name, is one of the organizers.
“We wanted to show Modesto we are also not OK with it,” she said. “This is a very conservative area with a lot of pro-Trump, pro-white power institutions.”
Bianca moved to Modesto from Los Angeles 13 years ago.
Meanwhile, the heads of Stanislaus County’s largest law enforcement agencies hastened to reassure the community what happened in Minneapolis should never happen.
Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll on Friday night issued a video statement on the department’s Facebook page, saying in part:
“We fully support the arrest and prosecution of Minneapolis police officer Chauvin. Mr. Floyd did not deserve to die the way he did.”
He said MPD officers are proud of their ties to the community.
“Unlike most cities, we live here with you as your neighbors. We’re committed to protect the community in a fair and equitable manner and maintain your trust.
Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse agreed, writing in an email Saturday morning:
“The death of George Floyd is a tragic incident. The law enforcement actions that day were unprofessional and indefensible. No one hates bad cops more than the good cops who are committed to protecting everyone in our community regardless of their demographic. Police officers have a tough job that requires public trust. If they violate that trust they must be removed from the force.”
Yesi Moreno of Modesto arrived at Saturday’s rally with a vase of pink carnations and white roses and was dismayed to find a chalk memorial she had created at 5:30 Saturday morning had been washed away
“There is definitely mistrust (of police) in the black and brown communities,” she said. “We are not strangers to police murders. ...
“I wanted to see the police here united with us.”
She questioned why MPD officers, standing by on bicycles, did not join in chants that included “Whose streets? Our streets” “I can’t breathe” and “Black lives matter”.
Another march is planned Sunday at 11 a.m., starting at 10th Street Place and heading to the Modesto Police Department.
On Friday night, Turlock Police Chief Nino Amirfar called Chauvin a “criminal wearing a police uniform”.
“I am horrified and sickened by the action of the criminal wearing a police uniform,” Amirfar wrote in a text message. “I want to assure our community that your law enforcement is part of our community and we cherish the trust you have in us and we work every minute of every day to earn and keep it.”
“My heart breaks for the Floyd family and I hold them in my prayers.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 2:30 PM.
