Anger, Tension, and Some Arrests - But No Violence at Naples Protest

WGCU | By Julie Glenn

Published June 2, 2020 at 9:03 AM EDT

"I won't let you won't kill me or my child," a protester yells at a Collier County Sheriff's Deputy on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process. — "I won't let you kill me or my child," a protester yells at a Collier County Sheriff's Deputy on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US-41 in the process.

Protesters were originally told the event was cancelled, but when more than 200 showed up, they marched.

Skies rumbled with thunder, law enforcement was outfitted in riot gear, a police helicopter whirred overhead, and the protesters who showed up were told the event was canceled. Still, the crowd of mostly young people had grown to more than 200. Speeches were made, and the inertia of those words moved people onto the street where they marched up U.S. 41 toward Naples' posh Fifth Avenue South.

Famed for its high-end shopping and restaurants, the street wasn't crowded with its usual patrons this overcast Monday night. Still, some diners sauntered out from restaurants to wave and give a thumbs up. Others shook their heads and ducked back indoors. But a few even joined the marching crowd and walked alongside them.

In the end, shortly after sunset, the crowd began to disperse with no violence, although a few were arrested early on. Throughout the protest, the people marching were yelling to "keep it non-violent," while law enforcement officers repeatedly could be heard telling one another to, "show restraint."

More than 200 people protested on Monday in downtown Naples, in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protestors block a law enforcement vehicle from traveling on US 41 on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"We support you, but want you to be safe," Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Lt. Rich Hampton tells protestors on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protesters encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

A line of law enforcement blocked Fifth Avenue South as protesters chanted and surged forward. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protestors encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"I won't let you won't kill me," a protester yells at Collier County Sheriff's deputy on Monday in downtown Naples.More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"Danger. That's what I feel when I see the police," Jade Smith, 26, said on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday outside the Collier County Courthouse in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"This is government versus the people," Nick Gatian said on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"I'm scared for him when he is out in public," Daisy Popoli said of her boyfriend Quincy Alexander on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Olivia Ponston, 18, and Merlica Faustin, 18, protest on Monday outside the Collier County Courthouse in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.