TAMPA, Fla. — Protests continued for a third weekend across the Tampa Bay area, with many people showing up to "Back the Blue" while more walk down Bayshore Boulevard for Black Lives Matter.
The demonstrations follow the death of George Floyd, a black man who died May 25 in Minneapolis police custody. Since then, protests and unrest nationwide have amplified the issue of racial injustice in the U.S.
A "Back the Blue" Facebook event garnered the attention of a people who later gathered Saturday morning at Hillsborough Community College. Its ralliers wanted to show support to law enforcement officers.
Elsewhere, people marched from Fred Ball Park and onto Bayshore Boulevard in support of Black Lives Matter. Traffic was blocked during this demonstration.
RELATED: Protester projects images on Tampa buildings to highlight police brutality, racial violence
Updates:
8:11 p.m. (June 13):
A separate rally took place at the North Port Police Department's headquarters when a group showed up with signs honoring officers.
"We work hard every day for all. We’re not perfect but we’re always willing to listen and improve, for ourselves and those we have the privilege to serve," the department wrote on Twitter.
4:37 p.m. (June 13):
4:32 p.m. (June 13):
3:59 p.m. (June 13):
- 2,581 new cases: Florida sees third consecutive day of largest single-day spike of COVID-19 cases
- Downtown St. Pete bars close after employees test positive for COVID-19
- Woman accused of setting 5 police vehicles on fire during riots
- Ybor City loses historic business to the coronavirus pandemic
- CDC posts everyday tips for minimizing COVID-19 risk
- Florida DEO changes payment schedule, leaving many in the dark as to when they'll be paid
FREE 10 TAMPA BAY APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter