TAMPA, Fla. — A large group of people made their way down W. Kennedy Boulevard in protest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
When they arrived in the downtown area, the group stopped for some time in front of Franklin Manor whose co-owner, Lanfranco Pescante, made a comment on social media suggesting "just shoot them all" in reference to the protesters. He since resigned from his position at Nocturnal Hospitality, the group that owns Franklin Manor and several other bars and restaurants.
Law enforcement formed a barricade between the eatery and protesters.
The peaceful march down Kennedy Boulevard happened hours after leaders opted to lift the city's curfew that was put in place during the weekend because of violence. Aerial images from Sky 10 earlier showed police on bikes traveling alongside the group.
Much of Kennedy Boulevard was blocked to traffic by police to ensure everyone's safety.
The group spent some time in front of the Fox 13 TV station before making their way to Tampa City Hall and the downtown area.
This march follows others across the Tampa Bay area Tuesday, with protests in Riverview, Plant City and elsewhere.
Protesters earlier gathered around 4 p.m. at Tampa City Hall. Mayor Jane Castor stepped outside and spoke with some of them, but many in the group changed "go home Jane" as she attempted to have a few conversations.
Castor went and talked with a few people, though the crowd did not seem too receptive.
Protests nationwide against police brutality and racial injustice have turned tense at times, violent in other ways as people have come face-to-face with law enforcement. President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the U.S. military to American cities in an attempt to limit the violence.
Floyd, a black man, died while in police custody on May 25 after officer Derek Chauvin was seen on video kneeling on Floyd's neck as he pleaded, "I can't breathe." Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death.
Chauvin and three other officers were fired.
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