George Floyd protests in Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Protests in Virginia for George Floyd
Part of George Floyd protests
A protest in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 30, 2020.
Date	May 28, 2020 (2020-05-28) – August 16, 2020 (2020-08-16)
Location	Virginia, United States
Caused by	Statues honoring the Confederacy Concerns about police using too much force Unfair systems that affect Black people The killing of George Floyd Differences in wealth and opportunities
Status	Ongoing
Casualties
Death(s)	1
Injuries	150
Arrested	500–600

After George Floyd was killed by a police officer, many protests started across the United States. These protests also happened in Virginia. They began in Richmond on May 28, 2020. Soon, protests spread to more than 50 other cities in Virginia. People gathered to speak out against police violence and unfair treatment of Black people.

Protests Across Virginia

Central Virginia Protests

A demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 30, 2020.

• Appomattox: On June 4, people held a prayer vigil. They asked for peace and healing for racial tensions.
• Ashland: On June 3, protesters met at the Town Hall. They then marched to the police station.
• Bedford: About 100 protesters gathered on June 6. They marched from Washington Street Baptist Church to the Bedford County Courthouse.
• Bowling Green: Local pastors organized a prayer rally on June 7. It took place in front of the Caroline County Courthouse.
• Charlottesville: On May 29, about 15 people protested with signs. On Saturday, a large crowd gathered near the police station. They briefly blocked a road during a "Justice for George Floyd" event.
• Lakeside: On June 7, a man drove a truck into a group of protesters. At least one person was hurt. The man was arrested and later sentenced to prison.
• Lawrenceville: About 125 protesters marched on June 2. They walked from Saint Paul's College to Courthouse Square.
• Lynchburg: About 100 people protested for Black Lives Matter on May 30. On June 1, some police officers were hurt during a gathering.
• Richmond:
  Main article: George Floyd protests in Richmond, Virginia

Shenandoah Valley Protests

• Covington: Protesters gathered in downtown Covington on June 5.
• Front Royal: About 1,200 protesters gathered on June 5. Organizers said it was the biggest protest ever in Front Royal.
• Harrisonburg: Over 300 people protested on May 29. They chanted and knelt, like Colin Kaepernick did to protest police brutality. On June 1, over 1,000 people joined a silent march. They called for an end to police violence and unfair systems. The march was peaceful.
• Lexington: Hundreds of people joined a protest in downtown Lexington on June 3.
• Orange: Hundreds of protesters marched on June 4. They walked along Madison Road to the Courthouse on Main Street.
• Staunton: About 150 protesters marched to the Augusta County Courthouse on May 30. A "Justice for George Floyd" rally was held there.

A protest in Staunton on May 30, 2020.

• Waynesboro: About 150 protesters gathered on June 3. They met outside the Thomas Gorsuch Municipal Building.
• Winchester: Peaceful protests happened on May 31. Protesters marched through the streets, chanting "I Can't Breathe" and "Black Lives Matter." Police helped direct traffic to keep everyone safe.

Southwest Virginia Protests

• Abingdon: On June 6, people gathered for a peace vigil. It was held at the Appalachian Peace Education Center.
• Blacksburg: About 300 people protested peacefully on Main Street on June 1.
• Bristol: About 200 people held a candlelight vigil for George Floyd on June 1. It took place on State Street, in both Bristol, Virginia, and Bristol, Tennessee. The protests were mostly peaceful.
• Danville: Dozens of protesters marched up and down Main Street on June 1.
• Galax: About 70 protesters gathered on June 3. They marched from Felts Park to the Galax Police Department.
• Marion: On June 13, protesters met counter-protesters. Hours later, a burning cross was placed in the yard of the 17-year-old who organized the rally.
• Martinsville: About 100 people protested on May 31. Another group gathered on June 1.
• Norton: Dozens of people protested the killing of George Floyd on June 1.
• Roanoke: About 100 people protested in Downtown Roanoke on May 30. At least one person was arrested.
• Rocky Mount: About 50 protesters gathered on June 3. They met in front of the Franklin County courthouse. Two police officers who danced with protesters were later involved in a big event at the U.S. Capitol.
• Wytheville: About 300 protesters marched on June 2. They walked from Al Jennings Field to Withers Park.

Northern Virginia Protests

• Alexandria: The city removed the Appomattox statue on June 2. This statue honored soldiers from the Confederacy. A vigil for George Floyd was also held that day.
• Arlington: Many protests in this area focused on Washington, D.C., which is nearby. On June 4, hundreds of protesters marched from Court House to Clarendon.
• Burke: Protesters held a rally on June 5. It was at the intersection of Burke Centre Parkway and Roberts Road.
• Clifton: In June, the city put up a banner saying "Welcome to Clifton where Black Lives Matter." Some people in nearby towns were upset by this banner.
• Culpeper: A peaceful protest with 700 to 800 people took place on June 6.
• Dumfries: About 75 protesters marched onto Interstate 95 on June 5. They briefly stopped traffic. Nearly 50 people were arrested.
• Fairfax City: Over 3,000 protesters gathered on June 6. They met in the city's old town square to support Black Lives Matter. High school students organized this event.
• Falls Church: Hundreds of protesters marched down Park Avenue on June 4.
• Fredericksburg: Several hundred protesters marched in Downtown Fredericksburg on May 30.
• Leesburg: Nearly 1,500 people attended protests in Downtown Leesburg on May 31. The protests were mostly peaceful.

A protest march in Manassas on June 6, 2020.

• Manassas: Several hundred protesters gathered on May 30. Police declared the gathering unlawful. Some officers had minor injuries. A state representative who attended the protest was hit with pepper spray.
• Stafford: A rally was held on May 31 in a parking lot. A school board member spoke to the crowd.
• Sterling: Thousands of protesters gathered at Algonkian Regional Park on June 6.
• Vienna: Hundreds of protesters gathered on Chain Bridge Road on June 3. There were two separate protests, one for people concerned about coronavirus. The protests were peaceful.
• Warrenton: Peaceful protests took place on May 30 and 31.

Eastern Shore Protests

• Accomac: Hundreds of protesters gathered on June 6. They marched from the courthouse to the library.
• Chincoteague: Protesters gathered in Donald J. Leonard Park on June 3.
• Exmore: About 150 protesters gathered in a local park on June 6.

Tidewater Region Protests

• Chesapeake: Hundreds of protesters marched around City Park on June 5. They held a moment of silence for eight minutes and forty-six seconds.
• Hampton: On May 29, a standoff between police and protesters led to four arrests. Hundreds of protesters took over major roads on May 31.
• Norfolk: More than 100 protesters marched on June 2. They walked from Granby Street to a Confederate monument.
• Petersburg: About 30 protesters gathered on May 30. They met near East Bank Street.
• Poquoson: Protesters gathered in front of the Poquoson Police Department on June 5.
• Suffolk: More than 140 protesters gathered at a shopping center on June 1.
• Virginia Beach: A protest on May 31 started peacefully but later involved damage to shops. Police used tear gas and made 19 arrests. A protest on June 1 was peaceful, with no damage reported. On June 5, 75 protesters marched onto Interstate 95, stopping traffic.
• Williamsburg: Hundreds of protesters gathered at the courthouse on May 31.

Images for kids

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  Demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 30

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  A protest in Staunton on May 30

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  A protest march in Manassas on June 6