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1,500 strong demonstrate in Troy protest against police brutality and racism

Published  June 6, 2020 12:53am EDT
Black Lives Matter Movement
FOX 2 Detroit

TROY, Mich. (FOX 2) - John R and Big Beaver roads in Troy was brought to a standstill Friday as a massive crowd marched through the streets.

Students from Troy and Troy Athens high schools as well the International Academy East, taking part in the rally.

Troy protest numbers 1,500 strong against racism and police brutality

City officials say roughly 1,500 people joined the protest as part of the global response to the killing of George Floyd by an ex-Minneapolis cop.

"Seeing people showing love, showing respect, showing just support for our community, I started tearing up when I got here," said Keiara Glover.

"Police have to be completely from the ground up reworked and changed, because right now it's working for the common people," said Kuba Niwinski.

Demonstrators walked from Troy Athens High School to city hall.

"Martin Luther King Jr. said 'An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,'" said Carriana Smith. "It starts with cops. Good cops don't let bad cops kill defenseless citizens."

City officials say roughly 1,500 people joined the protest as part of the global response to the killing of George Floyd by an ex-Minneapolis cop. 

Smith, a 2019 Troy Athens graduate took the lead in organizing this effort. The vast majority of those participating in it, were white.

FOX 2: "Do you think this is going to be a tipping point in this country in regards to race relations?"

"I do, I feel like we've never seen nothing this big before, so I don't see how it can't be," said Donovan Usoro, a Troy resident. "There's more people in the white community that are denouncing it, so that's why there's more people in the white community standing against it."

"All of my friends and supporters that are not of color, we see you, we hear you, we thank you, we applaud you not just for being out here, but for educating yourself with the right information in order to speak out," Smith said to the crowd. "To all the uncomfortable racist people suck it up!"

A man hit a protester with his car during the last gathering in Troy. The 68-year-old is now charged with felonious assault. This time around there were no issues.

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said the city will be reviewing their police department's policy on use of force, training, hiring and community relations. After they review that, they will decide if any policies need to be changed.