KEY POINTS

  • Houston's protests for the death of George Floyd have been calmer than other cities
  • One protest saw a police officer comforting an upset girl 
  • The officer hugged the girl and said they were there to protect them 

George Floyd’s nephew and two local rappers led a protest in Houston, a city where demonstrations to demand justice were significantly calmer in contrast to some cities in the United States where violence reigned over peace.

Floyd’s nephew, Brandon Williams, and Houston-based rappers, Bun B and Trae the Truth, spearheaded the march for the 46-year-old African-American who died while being restrained by former Minneapolis police Derek Chauvin.

The New Yorker’s Bryan Washington, who attended the rally together with his boyfriend, noticed that the city continues to show why they are regarded as the “most diverse city in the country.” While arrests have been made due to the protests, Houston’s local government decided not to enforce a curfew and no destruction was visible.

Protesters hold up their phones during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd, outside the White House in Washington, DC
Protesters hold up their phones during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd, outside the White House in Washington, DC AFP / Eric BARADAT

After Bun B requested the crowd to kneel for thirty seconds, he echoed his vision for a peaceful demonstration.

“We ain’t gonna shed a drop of blood in Houston, Texas,” he said.

As the march progressed, the author saw a diverse mix of culture that showed their support for Floyd: black women were handing out face masks, “Latinex” teens passing out water and, of course, those vocal activists with makeshift signs.

Sky News on the other hand reported on a touching story when a police officer comforted a black girl who was crying while joining a protest together with her parents Saturday.

An officer noticed Simone Bartee upset in the midst of protesting civilians. He then approached the girl and put his arms around her.

Bartee then asked the officer if he was “gonna shoot” them.

The law enforcer hugged Bartee and said, “We’re here to protect you okay? We’re not here to hurt you at all. You can protest, you can party, you can do whatever you like,” he said.

The emotional video was captured by Simone’s parents, Sion and Simeon. Sky News uploaded the footage on their Twitter account.

350 arrests have been made in Houston, said The New Yorker, but it bears little or no comparison when compared against other cities where police and civilians clash each and every time they see each other on the streets. There were even instances where police officers spray helpless protesters with mace pointblank.

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