Hundreds gather at UCSB to protest George Floyd’s death
ISLA VISTA, Calif. — With protests taking place nationwide following the death of George Floyd, UCSB senior Michael Sanders decided it was time to make a difference in his own community.
With a call to action on social media, he quickly organized a public demonstration.
"It just started with me being fed up and tired of seeing Santa Barbara carry on as if nothing happened,” Sanders said.
On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered on UCSB's campus to advocate for justice.
"I want to be able to represent my voice,” protestor Anthony Bolden said. “To speak up for the injustices that have been happening across this nation."
"I posted on social media but it doesn't feel like enough,” protestor Gianna Ross said. “I'm just really happy that they gave us the opportunity to come out here and do something."
Both students and non-students took a stand at Storke Tower around 12 p.m. Many held signs and stood in solidarity.
“It's beautiful and just shows the power of unity and what happens with the power of community,” Sanders said. “When people come together and I'd like to see more of that from this community."
Organizers of the event brought masks to distribute for free and lined the ground with yellow tape to help the crowd physical distance.
The protestors marched from Storke Tower to Sands Beach.
"Everyone is being safe, I love that they did the social distancing with the tape,” Ross said. “I’m so ecstatic that people are here."
As the large crowd marched through Del Playa Drive, some other UCSB students began to take notice.
"It's really special to see that a community like IV can come together in such numbers to support this cause,” UCSB senior Alex Bevier said.
Throughout the day, organizers remained focused on making a difference.
"Really this is us creating opportunity to let it be known that there needs to be change,” Bolden said.
"As long as I can get the community out here to see and hear us and finally pay attention that's really what this is about,” Sanders concluded.
As the demonstration took place, UCSB chancellor Henry Yang issued a statement saying in part, "We stand together in solidarity against hate and injustice."
George Floyd is a black man who died after multiple officers restrained him on the ground during his arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday.
Protests have been occurring nationwide in response to his death. Many have become violent and destructive, with multiple buildings going up in flames and protesters stealing a multitude of items from stores.
Protestors say that the officer used excessive force when arresting Floyd and murdered him because of his race.
The officer that kneeled on Floyd's neck while restraining him has been fired and arrested for murder. The exact cause of Floyd's death has not yet been determined.More on this story will be aired on NewsChannel 3 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
