Florida

TIMELINE: George Floyd protests in Central Florida

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — See our in-depth coverage below:

Protest continues downtown just outside curfew perimeter

9:30 p.m. update

After the 8 p.m. curfew went into effect in downtown Orlando, protesters moved just outside the perimeter to continue their demonstration.

Demonstrators rejoiced right after they crossed the perimeter at the intersection of Summerlin and Livingston and into the part of downtown where the curfew does not go into effect until 10 p.m.

George Floyd protests: Black cops feel pain of Floyd’s death, duty to their uniform

Curfew in effect for downtown Orlando

8 p.m. update

The 8 p.m. curfew is in effect for downtown Orlando.

Read: Orange County mayor encourages policing discussion to continue, says law enforcement agencies shouldn’t fear public review

‘Mobile mourning service’ brings together law enforcement, protesters in Orlando

6:30 p.m. update

Law enforcement and community leaders joined residents for a walk of mourning and restoration in Orlando Friday morning.

The walk was different than other recent demonstrations, and was a way to not only honor George Floy, but others who died before him.

Organizers wore all black, and there were no signs in the air. The read scripture as they walked.

Instead, this was a walk for mourning and restoration, which organizers say is a step that must come before healing.

WATCH: Orange County deputy smashes driver’s window near George Floyd protest

“This one is different because the sign is us,” said Pastor Tim Johnson with Orlando World Outreach Center. “There will be no signs at this walk today – the sign is our mourning.”

Johnson said it was not a protest nor a demonstration, but a mobile mourning service for George Floyd and 99 others who died before him.

Orange County mayor hosts town hall to address fighting injustices

6:30 p.m. update

It’s been 11 days since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis when a police officer kneeled on his neck, and police brutality protests continue across the globe, including right here in Central Florida.

On Friday, protesters gathered once again in downtown Orlando.

Also on the heels of George Floyd’s killing and the worldwide protests, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings hosted a town hall to address the issues and discuss ways to fight injustices in our community.

WATCH LIVE: Protesters gather in downtown Orlando

WATCH LIVE: Skywitness 9 is flying over protesters in downtown Orlando. They are gathering outside the Orlando police headquarters | LIVE UPDATES: at.wftv.com/2MAGGIt

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Friday, June 5, 2020

Read: Want your voice heard on police brutality? Here’s how to contact your elected officials in Orlando, Orange County

5:30 p.m. update

Hundreds continue to march in downtown Orlando

The threat of rain hasn’t deterred protesters from letting their voices be heard in downtown Orlando.

Hundreds of protesters made the walk from Orlando Police Department to City Hall as part of a peaceful demonstration, which is a little more than a mile.

See more below:



3:25 p.m. update

Orlando police, community members kneel together in prayer

Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon on Friday asked the community to take a knee and pray for those behind the badge, for those in pain and for everyone to come together in peace.

Protests have taken black over the past several days throughout downtown Orlando.

12:18 p.m. update

Senator Bracy announces changes he’d like to see to criminal justice reform

Sen. Randolph Bracy announced 10 potential solutions to reform Florida’s criminal justice system and law enforcement agencies during a Friday briefing.

He said he’d like to see each department institute an early intervention system to deal with what he called “problem officers.”

Bracy also wants every department to start collecting effective data on police killings that would be published annually.

He's recommending all law enforcement officers and vehicles to be equipped with a video cam.

Bracy would also like to see department shootings to be reviewed by an independent agency.

Officers would be required to go through implicit bias training.

9:19 a.m. update

UCF to hold virtual discussion on race, unity

The University of Central Florida will host a virtual conversation about race and unity for students and staff at 2 p.m.

The discussion will be live streamed on the university’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Read: #UCFFireHim: How a UCF professor’s controversial tweets about race led to calls for his firing

8:08 a.m. update

Nemours health officials to pause in solidarity against inequality

Faculty and staff at Nemours Foundation campuses across the country are coming together to show support and compassion amid the protests around America.

Nemours workers in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida will pause for a 1 p.m. demonstration against racial injustice.

6:32 a.m. update

Winter Park to hold peaceful protest

The Winter Park Police Department has confirmed a peaceful protest for Friday.

The protest will take place in Central Park at noon.

Read: George Floyd protests: Violent encounters overshadow peaceful assemblies during 10th night of unrest

4:48 a.m. update:

Orange County officials to hold virtual town hall to connect officers, community

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings will hold a virtual town hall connecting law enforcement with the community using the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative.

The focus and discussion of the town hall will be to seek solutions in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community.

The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. and include guest speakers such as Rep. Val Demings, Sheriff John Mina and Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon.

More information can be found here.

Christopher Boyce, WFTV.com

Christopher Boyce joined WFTV in January of 2019.

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