Central Coast chapters of NAACP held memorial for George Floyd

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Local chapters of the NAACP held memorials along the Central Coast for recently slain African Americans.

“As a country, we have to say we are not going to tolerate this anymore,” said NAACP board member Darrell Tullis.

As protests erupt across the US following the death of George Floyd, the Lompoc, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo NAACP chapters held memorials along the Central Coast.

“I am sick and tired of black men and women being killed. They are unarmed, minding their own business and they are murdered,” said SLO NAACP co-founder Cheryl Vines.

A diverse group gathered outside of City Hall in San Luis Obispo, also honoring recently slain African Americans Ahmaud Arbery and Brianna Taylor.

“It's good to see that white people are standing up against what they know is wrong,” said Tullis,

Separate peaceful memorials were held in Santa Maria, Lompoc and Paso Robles. The deceased were honored with candles and photos.

“I think about the mothers of these people, men and women who are killed and how much pain they now have to live with,” said Tullis.

SLO NAACP Co-founder Cheryl Vines invites more participation from residents to join the NAACP.

“It's been going on for way too long and if we don't stand together to do something, it's going to continue to go on,” said Vines.

As the country responds to Floyd's death, for those that ask, "what can I do":

“What you can do is go to your elected officials and get them to legislate racism out of our country,” said Tullis.