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George Floyd protests in Alaska

George Floyd protests in Alaska
Part of George Floyd protests
DateMay 28 – June 6, 2020
(1 week and 2 days)
Location
Alaska, United States
Caused by
Map
Cities in Alaska that held a protest with approximately 100 or more participants ()

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Alaska, United States. Protests occurred in at least thirteen various communities in the state.

Locations

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Anchorage

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Two peaceful demonstrations were held on May 30. A march, organized by a high school student via Instagram, began at Town Square. About a hundred protesters marched for about 45 minutes while chanting and holding signs.[3] A rally, organized separately and attended by hundreds of people, took place in midtown where pastors and community activists spoke in solidarity for justice.[4][3]

Bethel

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On June 2, a crowd of over 100 residents gathered at the Bethel Cultural Center and peacefully protested the murder of George Floyd.[5] Protesters marched, carried signs and chanted, "I can't breathe" in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.[6]

Fairbanks

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On May 30, over 400 peaceful protesters took part in a rally and march from Veteran's Memorial Park to Golden Heart Plaza organized by the Fairbanks NAACP and the statewide group Native Movement.[7]

Haines

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On June 2, an event drew approximately 200 people, where a moment of silence lasting eight minutes and 46 seconds was held, among other activities.[8]

Homer

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More than 80 people attended a gathering on June 1 and 40 additional people on the next day. One young mother, whose children were in attendance, held a sign that read "Mama", one of Floyd's last words. The event was held at Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith & Love Park on Pioneer Avenue.[9]

Juneau

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On May 30, people held signs decrying violence against black people and calling out institutional racism, many supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.[10] June 6: Hundreds of vocal protesters gathered in Marine Park for a Black Lives Matter rally followed by a march to Douglas Bridge to drop flowers in the water.[11]

Ketchikan

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Protesters demonstrated at the corner of Tongass Avenue and Jefferson Street on June 3.[10]

Kodiak

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In Kodiak on June 4, dozens of people gathered, carrying signs and showing support for George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.[12]

Kotzebue

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At least 20 people marched through Kotzebue on June 2.[10]

Nome

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150 people gathered for a protest across from town hall on June 10.[13]

Palmer

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1,400 people peacefully gathered and marched in the town's historic downtown on June 6 with a call to end racism and to protest the murder of George Floyd.[14]

Sitka

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Around 250 local residents gathered in Totem Square on June 1, the attendees shared in a seven-minute moment of silence and two traditional Tlingit songs of peace.[15]

Soldotna

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On June 3, around 50 people gathered at Soldotna Creek Park and marched to the intersection at Sterling Highway and Kenai Spur Highway to demand justice for George Floyd.[16]

Utqiaġvik

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People met at the whale bone arch near the Top of the World Hotel in Utqiaġvik on June 6 to protest the murder of Floyd and police brutality.[17] Protesters raised their fists in solidarity and observed a moment of silence for eight minutes.[17] One of the organizers also expressed hope for police reform, including demilitarizing the police and banning the use of chokeholds such as the knee-on-neck choke.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "As unrest sweeps through US, Anchorage rally organizers emphasize the power of working together". Anchorage Daily News. May 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Aina, Mayowa; McChesney, Rashah (May 31, 2020). "Death of George Floyd sparks solidarity rallies across Alaska". KTOO. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  5. ^ BASILE Basile, Katie (June 3, 2020). "Large Bethel Crowd Peacefully Protests Killing Of George Floyd". KYUK. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "#BLM protest Bethel, Alaska". @RBMEllis. June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Long, Kyrie; McGroarty, Erin (May 30, 2020). "Hundreds gather in Fairbanks to protest peacefully in wake of George Floyd's death". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  8. ^ "solidarity in Haines, Alaska..tears, an 8 minute and 46 second grieving/prayer period..people speaking from the heart..approximately 200 people in attendance..most with masks..a moment in history that stuns..grateful our community pulled this together.. 6-2-20". @akmk. June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Pacer, Megan (June 3, 2020). "Locals organize multiple demonstrations on racial injustice". Homer News. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "From Kotzebue to Ketchikan, Alaskans protest the killing of George Floyd, calling for justice". KTOO. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  11. ^ "Hundreds gather in Juneau for physical and virtual human rights rallies". Juneau Empire. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "We had a beautiful protest here in Kodiak and I got to give a speech Red heart". @sugpiaqsmile. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. ^ "Black Lives Matter Demonstration Draws Big Crowd In Nome". Nome Nugget. June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Goodykoontz, Emily; Lester, Marc; Holmes, Loren (June 7, 2020). "At large Palmer rally, demonstrators call for unity and stamping out racism in local communities". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "Sitkans honor George Floyd, join call for racial justice". KCAW. June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  16. ^ Mazurek, Brian (June 3, 2020). "Peninsula residents turn out for Black Lives Matter". Peninsula Clarion. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c Oliver, Shady Grove (June 10, 2020). "'We need real change': Arctic Alaska communities turn out for police brutality protests". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 17, 2020.