Peaceful #BlackLivesMatter protest in Greeley draws hundreds to Monfort Park

Gavin Hamilton hugs a fellow protestor and speaker during the protest Friday afternoon at Monfort Park off of 47th Avenue in Greeley. Photo by Joshua Polson.

By Brooklyn Dance

More than 300 people flocked to Monfort Park Friday evening to protest police brutality and systemic racism — joining a national movement after the in-custody death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers May 25.

Protestors rallied, shared personal stories and held a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time then-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck. 

Organizer Tobi Ogunmodede said her goal was “to just let people know that Greeley is with the Black Lives Matter movement, and that we are not exempt to what is happening throughout the nation.”

Greeley’s #BlackLivesMatter protests comes after the ninth straight day of protests in Denver. At least two vigils have been held in Greeley since Floyd’s death.

Oluwatobi Ogunmodede speaks during the protest Friday afternoon at Monfort Park off of 47th Avenue in Greeley. Photo by Joshua Polson.

“Being a black woman here in Greeley, I have known that Greeley tends to be a racist town and have racist tones,” Ogunmodede said. “To see so much support, it’s a really beautiful thing,” she said watching the crowd continue to grow. 

Multiple residents shared personal stories about systemic racism and being a good ally.

“Sometimes you just have to sit down and shut up,” Tammy Ortiz, a University of Northern Colorado graduate student, shouted through the megaphone to the white people in the crowd. A blue mask covered her face as she spoke. “Black and brown people are penalized from the day they are born.”

Protestors were silent for nine minutes – about how long Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck – as they sat, kneeled, or laid down in the grass.

Oluwatobi Ogunmodede speaks during the protest Friday afternoon at Monfort Park off of 47th Avenue in Greeley. Photo by Joshua Polson.

The only audible sound came from protestors crying.

As the sun began to set, the crowd marched through the park to 47th Avenue and lined the street, chanting.

“No justice, no peace,” protestors chanted as they walked.

Many carried signs reading #BlackLivesMatter.

Cars driving by honked to show support or held their hands clenched into fists out the window. 

Protestors march and chant as they walk across Monfort Park Friday afternoon off of 47th Avenue in Greeley. Photo by Joshua Polson

While similar protests across the country turned violent as protesters clash with law enforcement, Greeley’s remained peaceful.

The crowd left around 9:30 p.m.

The Greeley Police Department posted on Facebook thanking protestors for coming out for a peaceful event.

“Thank you to everyone who came out to night,” the post said. “We would like to express our gratitude for the peaceful event.”

Another protest is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Monfort Park.