By Julietta Bisharyan
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – The sound of fireworks cracking and paint cans spraying filled the Bay Area streets this week, following the tragic death of George Floyd.
George Floyd’s death has sparked nationwide protests against the issue of police brutality in the U.S., bringing the Black Lives Matter movement to the forefront.
In addition to the protests held in San Francisco, an unknown group organized a peaceful demonstration in support of George Floyd, called “Rise in Power.”
The protest will be held on June 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of South San Francisco’s City Hall.
The organization asks protestors to refrain from looting, but also urges local business owners to remove any outdoor furniture and to board windows.
“We fully support peaceful protesting and those that wish to express their voices and feelings in a peaceful and lawful manner,” read the organization’s post. “However, we will not tolerate violence, property destruction, and criminal behavior in South San Francisco. Those that violate the law will be sought out and held accountable for their actions through the criminal justice system.”
Many have taken to the streets of major cities to protest police brutality, ranging from peaceful demonstrations to some looting of stores. Walls of corner shops and freeways spell out “Black Lives Matter” and “Say His Name,” while shattered glass covers the sidewalks.
Smaller cities in the Bay Area have also voiced their support out on the streets, such as those in San Mateo County.
On June 2, San Mateo County issued a two-day curfew order from 8:30 p.m. to 5 am.to
“The county takes our residents’ civil liberties extremely seriously, and we want to protect their right to peacefully demonstrate over the heartbreaking and preventable death of George Floyd and other 
violent acts in our nation,” said County Manager Mike Callagy in a statement.
“However, we also take their safety seriously, and this order is a tool to help prevent looting and civil unrest by those who would take advantage of this highly emotional and tragic period of time,” he added.
Amid the conversations of police brutality, one local nail technician shared a recent experience of being swatted by police officers at the Target parking lot in San Bruno.
The woman, Vanessa Ortega, recounts being followed by a police car into the parking garage on Tuesday, where she then stopped to pull over. Moments later, 10 cars from Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Bruno Police Department circled her vehicle, with officers pointing guns at her.
Ortega was handcuffed and thrown into the police car after being accused of armed robbery. The officers told her she matched the identification of a “Hispanic female in a black Ford with tinted windows,” though that was the only information they had.
“I am traumatized and feel so violated in so many ways,” said Ortega in a Facebook post. “If you know me you know since I was in high school I always looked up to the police and wanted to join the force so badly. I’ve had amazing experience with officers from the sheriffs’ department and SMPD [San Mateo Police Department] but today I am disgusted at the amount of power these officers have to abuse the use of force.”
Many offered their support to Ortega and shared similar encounters with the local police department. One commenter suggested that Ortega retrieve video footage of the incident from the officer’s body cams to file a report.
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LOL, I’m sure all of the Chamber of Commerce members appreciate the advice.
One correction, the Chamber didn’t organize the event, they organized putting out water for the protesters.
LOL, one huuuuuuge correction.
“they organized putting out water for the protesters.”
Ah, practical application of human kindness. You’ll need to explain that concept to some.
Thoughtful of them.
Yeah, just in case the ‘protestors’ don’ listen . . . ? I put protestors in quotes not to put down those peacefully protesting, but rather to put down those looting, who I believe is a small subgroup.
Did ya’ll know that Derek Chauvin and George Floyd worked together at a nightclub known for shady activity. The DA on this case is likely looking at an organized crime murder and not a racially-motivated incident.
But then one side of politics will never let a good crisis go to waste to waste the country for their gain.
They worked at the same time – briefly – but it’s not clear they actually knew each other.
You also know David that Floyd had quite a long record and several prison stints. I’m reading where he once broke into a pregnant lady’s house and put a gun to her stomach. He robbed her of some jewelry and other articles. The mother to be was pistol whipped by one of the other assailants. Cops tracked down the escape car which Floyd was driving.
Now before you go off on a rant I agree that Floyd didn’t deserve to die during his arrest and that the four officers involved should serve some serious time.
That said, this guy was no angel like the press is making him out to be.
“Now before you go off on a rant I agree that Floyd didn’t deserve to die during his arrest and that the four officers involved should serve some serious time.”
Why does it matter if he was no angel if you admit he didn’t deserve to die? Police are not judge, jury and executioner. The issue is that the police need to operate in a constitutional matter to protect the safety of the public, the accused, and themselves and when that breaks down it puts all three at risk as we see now.
You don’t have to be innocent to be the victim of disproportionate policing.
You mean Barr and his anonymous federal thugs?
Please stick to the topic Mr. West and don’t allow your TDS to rule that fabulous mind.
BTW, Rod Rosenstein’s testimony was really not good for the Obamagate defense. Things are starting to unravel and justice will be done.
It’s looking more and more like those with TDS were correct in their concerns.
Jeff – you need to read this article – everyone else too, but that is beside the point.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/07/trumps-collaborators/612250/
You would have made an excellent member of the Vichy government. Enjoy the read.
Obamagate is nothing but a distraction for the mindless. What I really want to hear (no, not really) is your opinion of Tom Cotton’s op/ed.
“justice will be done.”
You and your ilk better hope not. Your RealityDerangementSyndrome is getting worse.
I hope that criminal conspiracy and treason charges are brought against Trump and his major Trumpkins like Barr. Jeff Sessions is smart enough to work an immunity deal for his perjury and spill the beans . Now Mitch McConnell is another traitor we’ll need to get to and who knows who he’ll give up to save his crepey skin. Yes, I have a dream…