Syracuse officials thanked the community Sunday for their cooperation over a chaotic weekend that saw hundreds of protesters, but few arrests.
"Much of [Saturday] was filled with peaceful protest, and that is something we will always support," Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said during a news conference Sunday.
Protests Saturday were largely peaceful, but Saturday night things turned more violent. Windows were smashed at the Syracuse Public Safety Building, as well as several businesses, and some looting occurred. Walsh declared an emergency at 12:35 a.m. Sunday, and imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. That emergency order and curfew have been extended to all of Onondaga County, but officials say essential workers and people who need to go to and from work can travel during that time.
Walsh said by the time he was back downtown Sunday morning, people were already out cleaning up from the night before.
"We had volunteers from all over that just showed up to do the right thing and to help out community heal.," Walsh said. "And that's really what this is all about. It's about healing as a city, as a community, and as a country."
Syracuse police Chief Kenton Buckner said there were six arrests Saturday night, most for disorderly conduct. He said he supports the community's right to protest, as long as things remain peaceful.
"We share in your frustration, we share in your anger," said Buckner. "The things that happened to Mr. Floyd should not have happened. Our entire nation and our entire world is very disappointed about what we witnessed on that day. But we can't damage our cities in the pursuit of justice to try to fix those kinds of things."
But protests continued Sunday afternoon into the evening.
Kenzell, who lives in Syracuse but did not want to give his last name, was one of the protesters over the weekend. Before things turned violent Saturday evening, he was among a large crowd that marched from downtown to the Solvay Police Department, just outside of the city. It was an effort to go to areas outside of Syracuse where city police officers live.
“We’re not afraid anymore,” Kenzell said. “We’re going to stand together; people of color, people not of color. We’re going to walk together. You are going to see our faces. You are going to hear our voice. We are tired. We have to go out into the outskirts to wake them up. Wake them up and let them know this is happening to us. We are being killed by cops, the people that are supposed to protect us.”
Kenzell said it broke his heart to see the protest turn violent. He was out at another protest in Syracuse on Sunday. Protesters marched peacefully to Syracuse City Hall where Pastor Erik Eure of The Promised Land Church in East Syracuse spoke to the crowd. He said their message needs to be heard constructively, and faith leaders do not support violence and the destruction of property.
“Let’s not lose our message in violence, breaking things and looting,” Eure said. “That’s where the message gets lost. You have a valid message. People should not be murdered; one human being should not be unaccountable for killing another human being. That’s a strong enough message without breaking things or burning things.”
Eure encouraged everyone to abide by the curfew to help bring peace. Most of the protesters Sunday did leave by the 8 p.m. curfew. But police did not approach those who stayed and continued to protest. By 11 p.m., most had left. Mayor Walsh credited the community for conducting a peaceful protest, and said hopefully, it was a step in the healing process.
