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Santa Clarita Reacts To The Death Of George Floyd

As protests break out around the nation over the death of George Floyd, an African American man who was arrested in Minneapolis and subsequently died in police custody, residents and officials in Santa Clarita have begun to share their thoughts and reactions towards the incident.

On Friday, a lone woman carrying two signs walked back and forth on the corner of McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard, holding her signs up to cars passing by.

“200 people protested 4 (sic) SCV to open back up. Why isn’t 200 people protesting 4 (sic) human lives!?!” one sign read. 

“Here is ur (sic) peaceful protest!! Now where is the change(?)” the other read.

The woman, who only identified herself as Amanda, was protesting the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man who died in police custody after being arrested in Minneapolis for attempting to purchase groceries with a counterfeit $20 bill.

“I’m tired of being silent and not doing anything,” Amanda said. “So I’m standing here protesting peacefully for civil rights to be better and African Americans to get better rights and to be treated justly and to stop unnecessary murders happening from the police department.”

After officers were able to detain Floyd with minimal struggle, video footage of his arrest taken by a bystander shows a Minneapolis Park Police officer with his knee over Floyd’s neck.

“Please, I can’t breathe,” Floyd can be heard crying in the video. “Please man.”

The circumstances leading up to this moment are still under investigation. Floyd later died in police custody.

Preliminary reports of Floyd’s autopsy were announced Friday, where officials with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner stated that they found “no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.”

All four officers involved in the arrest have since been fired, and Derek Chauvin — the officer who allegedly had his knee over Floyd’s neck — has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

See Related: ‘Reopen Santa Clarita’ Rally Brings Out Hundreds Of Residents Against ‘Safer At Home’

After the video of the incident went viral, protests broke out across the country, many of which turned violent. By Friday morning, over 170 buildings in Minneapolis, including the city’s Third Precinct, had been looted or damaged as a result of violent protests.

Yet despite all of the outrage expressed nationwide, Amanda felt that Santa Clarita was failing to act.

“Santa Clarita doesn’t do anything,” Amanda said. “I feel like SCV needs to be more proactive in fighting for what’s right for other people.”

The events in Minneapolis have drawn criticism locally from both sides of the political aisle. State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, called the incident “unacceptable.”

“What’s wrong is wrong,” he wrote on Twitter Friday. “Every civil or human right was denied (Floyd) and we must work harder and do better to put a stop to what divides us.”

Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, expressed similar outrage on the social media platform.

I don’t share the lived experiences of people of color but as a mother I feel a mother’s pain, as a neighbor and friend I want the suffering to end, and as an ally I want justice to be done,” she wrote.

A Black Lives Matter protest is reportedly scheduled for the morning of Saturday, May 30, at the exact same intersection that Amanda was protesting at on Friday.

“Anyone that gets murdered for just the color of their skin, (it) isn’t right,” Amanda said. “I’m hoping that this will wake the government’s eyes up and maybe give police a more complicated training where they really try to not use excessive force for the color of their skin.” 

For her part, Amanda said that she planned to be back in the same place the following Friday, and invited others to join her.

“If anyone wants to come out and protest with me, I will be here,” she said.


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Santa Clarita Reacts To The Death Of George Floyd

38 comments

  1. I’m sorry but to me the blm is a hate group that promotes hate. What I see happening during Most of these instances is a black person putting up a fight against officers after breaking the law resulting into being forced into submission in order to arrest them. Yes other instances are a scared and trigger happy cop the lesson there is don’t make any sudden moves and spook the cops they just might shoot. Of course there are some evil ones that will shoot you in the back those ones go to jail for it justice served. Those rioting and looting are making all the respectable blacks look like thugs end that is w shame. In life if you act like a thug dress like a thug you will most likely get treated like a thug no matter what color your skin is that is life. You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but we all usually do.

    • Will that’s a lot of words for I’m a racist.

      • Most in the blm are racist promoting hate for another race . I hate no one thugs come in all colors I blame their parents. Like I said if you look like a thug you will get treated like one no matter the color of your skin. I am tired of people using the my life is crappy because I’m not white excuse, there is no excuse you make your own path here it’s time to get that out of your head. Blacks can do everything White’s can do if they just try. No more special treatment, college’s, TV channels for one color that is self segregation and it is not right in free equality America

        • As a black person, I can say this is not true. My mom has 2 degrees in engineering, and still has to work 2 jobs. The “American Dream”, is not attainable for the majority of minorities, except those who are stereotyped to be smarter and more successful. Hispanics are probably the most hardworking people in this country, but they always get the short end of the stick. As for BLM, we are not a hate group, we simply are saying that our lives matter, just like everybody else’s. Lastly, if you’re talking about people resisting is the reason why they get shot, I have seen countless videos from start to finish of black men being beat since I was 5. Even if they are resisting, beating them to a bloody pulp, or cutting of their circulation for 10 min straight is a little excessive, wouldn’t you think?
          I hope all of those cops see justice. Black Lives Matter

          • Shouldn’t all lives matter? If black people want equality, shouldn’t we value everyone’s life & not just black people? Think about it.

      • Clara, here, here.

    • I think we are afraid of what we don’t understand. At first I was puzzled by the Black Lives Matter movement. I thought why just black lives. It should be all lives. Then I educated myself. I am sure if you ask any supporter of Black Lives Matter they would agree all lives matter. We are missing the point. The point is they are not being treated as if their lives matter as much as yours because of the color of their skin. They want to remind us of the inequality. They are advocating for their rights and lives.

      In regards to the comment about black people putting up a fight or having an urban wardrobe as an excuse for murder., I would ask you to reflect on that statement. I hope you realize that is not OK. Most Black parents teach their children what to do if they are in a situation with law enforcement. Number one is do not resist. I understand that George Floyd cooperated with police and was still murdered. Even if he did resist, murder is unacceptable.

      The last statement you made about judging a book by its cover. That was very true. Instead of being pragmatic about it, let’s work to find away where that is not acceptable.

    • Well I didn’t just see black people looting as you say acting like a thug. I do not see any protesting in Santa Clarita for that black mans rights because they do not care.They care all about opening up there businesses! The mighty dollar is more important than a life because that’s how it goes.I wanna open up my business but if the coronavirus kill, or the policeman kills black people because of the color of their skin, that’s all right.

    • This is just a false flag meant to divide the country. Another strategy of the deep state. I‘m awake. I won’t be fooled by these sick individuals who are willing to kill people just to accomplish their deep state agenda.

    • You say this like there were only black people looting. Kinda racist.

      • If race hate is already put in your mind by your parents it will most likely always be there. There are many successful Americans of all races even Obama he tried hard went to college and became president. There is nothing you can’t do. Don’t let the color or your skin be your excuse for an unsuccessful life. All lives matter. I say thugs thugs come in all colors

  2. Santa Clarita should have its own police department and stop contracting with the LA County Sheriff. Let’s get local control and accountability. Villanueva will not even meet with the people of Santa Clarita. We want body cameras now.

  3. There is a systemic problem that privaleged people do not understand. Black people and people of color have been forced to follow a social contract that the police has broken again and again! This is not just one incident, nor can you blame the BLM movement. This is because justice has not been served for decades of privileged enforcers. The ‘brotherhood’ within this enforcing community protect each other, which leads to little to no justice and a social acceptance of unchecked aggression. Rioting is what gets your attention, not peaceful protesting, because your privilege runs so deep, you cannot see why did it have to go there in the first place. Wake up! When you start a post with “I’m sorry, but…” you clearly do not understand. When you say “all lives matter” you don’t get it. Wake up!

    • Martin L King sure changed the world with peaceful demonstration.

    • There is no inequality in most of America that is a lie you are brainwashed by your own race to think there is. If you want respect be respectable don’t act like a thug if you don’t want to get treated as one. Those rioting and looting are doing nothing for the cause. Those idiots are ruining the image of the respectable black community and that is sad. I hope all those thugs doing the rioting and looting get locked up ASAP. Before they do more damage to the black communities image. No wonder those cops in the hood are scared of you and ready to shoot anything that moves wouldn’t you be after seeing that?

      • I don’t like how you are singling out black protesters when there are protesters of all races there. Clearly, George Floyd was murdered. Looting, while immoral, is symbolic of a depressed society, a society in peril. They need help in the inner cities and police brutality is seen more in these types of areas. I think this is because there is more tension in the inner cities between police and civilians. This is because there is more stress, more poverty, more children born out of wedlock, more high school drop-outs, and thus more who turn to criminal activity. This tension is real and that policeman would not have been caught had it not been for that camera footage. Violent gang bangers and drug dealers do deserve to get checked by police, I support the police 100%, but even the police need to follow the law, murder is murder. Looters should be arrested as well for the property damage.

        • I said thugs they come in all colors.Yes speaking of poverty look at these idiots burning down business’s where wlot of those people in that community work. Do you think businesses will want to reopen there witg the chance if these thugs doing this again? If I was in the insurance business I would think twice about insuring any business there.

    • Thank you Ralph, every American should be outraged by the treatment of this man and countless others. We’ve been fighting this my entire life. Watch the videos, this was murder and the other 3 officers should be arrested for not stopping it. It’s a disgrace that 1 in every 1,000 black men/boys will be killed by police in America and some of our most prominent leaders are encouraging hate and division. I’m not surprised there are protests and violence in the cities, people are angry and it’s all races out there in the streets. Amanda you are a warrior with a great morale compass. I saw someone’s comment, he was not a forger, he was arrested for buying groceries with a counterfeit $20 bill. Anyone of us could get slipped a counterfeit $20 some are hard to spot, read multiple news sources to get information before forming an opinion. Personally I’m surprised he was even arrested for that.

  4. Will said a lot of words of wisdom. It’s Racist to say White privilege! That’s assuming all or most whites get special privileges! All children get free taxpayer paid K-12 public education and many get free breakfast, lunch & ? dinner! If they don’t ditch school, cause disturbances, follow the rules, they’ll move ahead and be successful. Unfortunately all the schools promote victimhood and further brainwashing by biased Liberal doctrine! Why don’t other minorities /people of color, Japanese/Chinese/Koreans/Filipinos constantly have those problems?! When the truth/facts are hidden/covered-up by the biased PC Liberals just for votes, then true progress will never happen!

  5. Martin L King protested peacefully, who changed the world.

  6. Stay safe out there. Chances are if you do not break the law, law enforcement officers will not bother you.

  7. Chances are if you do not break the law, law enforcement officers will not bother you. Stay safe out there.

  8. George Floyd did not die while in police custody he was murdered.

    • Yes the forger, G. Floyd was killed during the attempted arrest! It was mentioned that one thing society, especially police, need to be aware of, is, threats by uniforms of beliefs! If one wears long baggy shorts, white underwear shirts, high top white socks, tattoos, especially on check next to eyes—that’s a planned uniform of degradation/destruction! Stop the cover-up/behavior of the truth/facts!

  9. Stay safe. Chances are if you are not breaking the law , law enforcement officers will not bother you

  10. @Linda Lott – “George Floyd did not die while in police custody he was murdered”

    Your statement is HALF correct…

    While I agree that he was murdered, he WAS in police custody.

    https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/police-custody-lawyers.html

  11. This is wrong. Peaceful protest, no. The violence. A lot of Black, (Only in this country should you say skin color for anything you say) owners have lost their businesses in the riots. https://www.facebook.com/100000820912276/posts/3078993495471317/?d=n
    I work in south central LA. The same happened here. People down there witness to when the place would be flourishing with local businesses, strong
    Communities, jobs. It all went to hell because of the ‘92 riots. It is still not recovered. The way to protest under any ideology, it’s not to loot, destroy other people’s private property and then call it even. George Floyd’s murder was totally wrong, inexcusable, there is no “but”after that statement. People making these riots are not associated with this man, probably NEVER met him. He was not violent, even in what would be his last tragical moments, he did not harm the officers… his memory however will be associated with all the destruction.
    COVID-19, unemployment, financial bankruptcy; have pushed us to these kind of actions, it’s a steam release method, but is wrong.
    How can they chant Black lives matter, while destroying businesses that are the livelihood of Black men and women?
    Whenever these riots become violent they should stop the chant of “Black or White or Brown or Yellow or Red or Purple or Cyan or Magenta” lives matter and say I’m violent , my life matters.

    Separate the peaceful protesting from an excuse for anarchy.

  12. @Joe – ” The way to protest under any ideology, it’s not to loot, destroy other people’s private property and then call it even”

    That’s EXACTLY what Martin Luther King professed – and I could just imagine what he’s thinking right now, when he’s looking down ?!?!?

    I have a LOT of respect for people, who get up off their asses, and speak up for what they believe in, or whatever their protest is ALL about. I totally support these protesters, but THEY have stepped over the line while setting the city on fire, loot, and destroy everything in sight. THESE PEOPLE need to be arrested and police should not back-down and let this continue in this manner. This is disgusting to watch on TV…

  13. If you are here to only talk about the protest turning into a riot and NOT your OUTRAGE for the murder of a man you are 100% part of the problem. If this was one of your kids you would be suing and fighting for change. Again if you only are here to speak up about the protest this is because you think this issue doesn’t affect you. This country wants justice. I am TIRED of police abusing their power and making it hard for all the other hard working decent law enforcement officers.
    People have been trying to speak out for years on this problem. This death of George Floyd could have been prevented. The White House the weaponized movement against the black community by targeting Kaepernick when he was peacefully trying to use his platform to bring this issue to light.
    George Floyd is one of many that has lost their lives for no good reason. Anyone justifying the death of this man. Just pretend he is your son, your brother and let me know how you would feel after.

  14. If “Amanda” feels so strongly about what happens in low income communities it is her right to go protest there. Keep that passive-aggressive social justice crap out of our beautiful Santa Clarita!!! We are the only community in LA without homeless and with very little crime. That won’t last long if the rest of the failing American society drags us down with them.

  15. Nothing to see here folks. This is nothing out of the ordinary and all of these gatherings are just an overreaction right? These are some far left folks just whining right? Just ruining everything and making a huge fuss about everything and they are all okay with all the looting and lawlessness right? This guy probably deserved it right? All part of some grand scheme to destabilize the USA right? Some of you people are freaking disgusting and despicable human beings. We all know you’re out there and my stomach churns thinking about the fact that we even have to deal with you on a daily basis. Vomit.

  16. The police posted a hundred officers at Chauvin’s house rather than arrest him. They needed an entire country to display their compounded anger in order to serve a minimal degree of justice. They’ve created an autopsy report blaming Mr. Floyd’s death on hypertension and medication to support the murder in the third degree charge. What values cause a good number of Americans to applaud this behavior? A good number of humans are not ashamed of hypocrisy, of being racist and are proud members of the KKK. Being a KKK member and/or having a racist history should automatically prevent you from being in the police department or wielding any position of power, in the same way you would prevent a psychopath from wielding power. This needs to be legislated and voted in across the country. When a person is murdered, justice must be served. No lies, no cover ups, no promotions. The clear solution to calming the angry is to serve justice. Anyone can see that. Justice is a universal concept. I believe that a good number of Americans are enjoying the violence. Watch the videos. Watch the agent provocateurs. They’ve been rumored to exist, now they can’t be denied. They’ve been caught on camera, broadcasted to the world. The denial of the obvious is a woeful and willful ignorance. It’s hard to change the core of people. We are all hoping that your children will be better than you. It is unfortunate when the only way to make oneself feel alive and feel of value, is by crushing someone else’s neck. When you watch that footage of Mr. Floyd’s neck being crushed and it gives you pride, or causes you to deflect with an explanation, you are indeed the problem.

  17. It is my belief that if the protesters would wait until the investigation is finished they would find all four officers charged in this incident. They have all been fired which means that they all have to pay for their own individual defenses out of pocket which all of us know is very expensive.
    The prosecutors need to have all of their ducks in a row to make each case stick and that just takes time. If they go too fast they risk missing something or tripping a technicality that would result in an acquittal. The third degree murder charges may be upgraded due to the in depth investigation. Time will tell.
    There is no way of knowing for sure if the protests and or the riots have any influence on this particular case.

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About Michael Brown

Michael Brown has lived in Santa Clarita his whole life. Graduating from Saugus High School in 2016, he continued to stay local by attending The Master’s University, where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Michael joined KHTS in January of 2018 as a news intern, and has since gone on to become the News Director for the KHTS Newsroom. Since joining KHTS, Michael has covered many breaking news stories (both on scene and on air), interviewed dozens of prominent state and federal political figures, and interacted with hundreds of residents from Santa Clarita. When he is not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, as well as reading any comic book he can get his hands on.