An estimated 300 people took to the streets of Turlock on Saturday afternoon to protest police brutality as part of a Black Lives Matter march. It was the second BLM-associated event to peacefully take place in the city since Friday, as marches and vigils are held across the country following the death of George Floyd. Protesters met at Stanislaus State on the corner of Monte Vista Avenue and Geer Road before marching to Donnelly Park, chanting and periodically kneeling along Geer and Hawkeye Avenue as officers from the Turlock Police Department blocked traffic for them. 

According to TPD, the safety measures were put in place in order to provide a “safe and controlled environment for the planned demonstrations supporting constitutional rights.” At the park, various Turlock residents spoke to the crowd about not only racism experienced by people of color throughout the country, but also in their own hometown. Before marching back to the university in the same direction they came, Turlock resident Shanice Brown left those in attendance with a call to action.

“Everyone who posted that little black square — you’ve got to say more. You’ve got to talk to your family members. It’s more than a #blackouttuesday. This is a lifestyle for us.”