Monrovia Youth Protest at Library Park

Over the weekend, thousands took to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. Across the world, the protests occasionally escalated into violent confrontations and fringe groups started looting stores and businesses. Graphic television images, many from helicopter vantage points, showed a staggering number of people, mostly peaceful, but also the looting that became more brazen as the weekend progressed, particularly in Santa Monica. Additionally, arsonists set fire to police cruisers and businesses were destroyed in cities across the country.

Sunday evening saw additional, albeit  peaceful, protests in Monrovia and Pasadena by faith based organizations.

For two nights in a row, students and members of various churches and other faith based organizations held a rally in Monrovia’s Library Park to express their First Amendment rights.

At least 400 people took their message up and down Myrtle Avenue from 4-6 p.m. Monday, respecting the L.A. County curfew order. They did so again Tuesday.

“Today was the needle moving in the right direction,” Melissa Taylor wrote on Facebook.

“For anyone thinking they don’t belong, you do. Your voicematters and counts. The most moving part was when the entire crowd screamed,banged, and made noise for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.”

“Everyone is respecting the curfew and each other. Monrovia is not L.A. or another big city: we are a community of neighbors coming together for our neighbors.”

Monday night also saw the National Guard deployed in Washington D.C. at President Trump’s request – to have a military show of force against protesters. Trump has vowed to use military might to “dominate” protesters.

Twenty-three states now have also activated the National Guard to combat “civil unrest.”

According to the White House, secret service detail has been increased significantly around 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

More from Monrovia Weekly