Demonstrators want change in policing following Minneapolis, Maryland deaths

People gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza in D.C. demanding policing reform following the deaths of Daunte Wright in Minneapolis Police custody and the recent fatal shooting of two men in Takoma Park, Maryland, by an off-duty Pentagon officer.

Sean Blackmon, with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, called for an end to racist policing and justice for Wright and his family.

“We have to stay in the streets. We have to keep up the struggle,” Blackmon addressed the some 25 people in the rally.

Different demonstrations began during the evening in downtown D.C. with the same demands for change in policing. 草莓传媒 news partner NBC Washington reported more than 200 people started marching on Black Lives Matter Plaza before going up to 14th Street Northwest.

NBC Washington reporter Shomari Stone said D.C. police followed the march in bikes and SUVs to make sure the crowd “remained peaceful.”

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People gather Friday at Black Lives Matter Plaza in protest of the deaths of Daunte Wright in Minneapolis and two men in Maryland at the hands of law enforcement. (草莓传媒/Kyle Cooper)

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Protesters call for change in what they called racist policing. (草莓传媒/Kyle Cooper)

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Protesters demand justice for Daunte Writer and his family. (草莓传媒/Kyle Cooper)

(草莓传媒/Kyle Cooper)

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Kyle Cooper

Weekend and fill-in anchor Kyle Cooper has been with 草莓传媒 since 1992. Over those 25 years, Kyle has worked as a street reporter, editor and anchor. Prior to 草莓传媒, Kyle worked at several radio stations in Indiana and at the Indianapolis Star 草莓传媒paper.