Peaceful protests held in Camarillo, across county

Police chief:
‘We’re here to talk, engage in dialogue’



UNITED WE STAND—Demonstrators walk June 2 at Constitution Park to protest the death of George Floyd. Camarillo’s police Chief Eric Tennessen, fourth from right, and Capt. Shane Matthews, third from right, walked with them to support residents’ rights to peacefully protest. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

UNITED WE STAND—Demonstrators walk June 2 at Constitution Park to protest the death of George Floyd. Camarillo’s police Chief Eric Tennessen, fourth from right, and Capt. Shane Matthews, third from right, walked with them to support residents’ rights to peacefully protest. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

More than 150 individuals walked in silence in front of Camarillo City Hall Tuesday afternoon in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Organized by Camarillo resident Jacquanna Davis, the silent march was held to protest the death of George Floyd and highlight the need for greater accountability by police.

“My objective was to start a conversation,” said Davis, who began protesting by herself at the same spot May 28, before word spread to other locals. “Preferably, everybody out here will go back home to their communities, to their churches and . . . spark conversation.”

Though many rallies across the country have ended in violence, the Camarillo protest remained peaceful. Protesters marched with signs reading “I stand with my Black brothers and sisters,” “Hands up means don’t shoot,” “Not one more” and “I can’t breathe.”

Camarillo police Chief Eric Tennessen and Capt. Shane Matthews were among the protesters in the procession, which spanned from Paseo Camarillo to Ponderosa Drive. Tennessen said they took part to show their support for citizens’ right to protest and to be accessible to those who wanted to talk.

BEING HEARD—Above, Camarillo resident Nevaeh Blaney, 3, holds a picture of George Floyd as she is pushed in her stroller during a silent protest in support of Black Lives Matter on Tuesday at Constitution Park. At left, organizers Jacquanna Davis, center, and the Rev. Julie Morris of Mount Cross Lutheran Church speak to demonstrators after the walk. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

BEING HEARD—Above, organizers Jacquanna Davis, center, and the Rev. Julie Morris of Mount Cross Lutheran Church speak to demonstrators after the walk. Below, Camarillo resident Nevaeh Blaney, 3, holds a picture of George Floyd as she is pushed in her stroller during a silent protest in support of Black Lives Matter on Tuesday at Constitution Park. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

“We want people to know that we hear them—that we’re equally as outraged about what happened in Minneapolis,” the chief said. “We’re listening and we’re here to talk and engage in a dialogue.”

Davis led another protest of a few dozen people at Constitution Park on Sunday. She said her pastor, the Rev. Julie Morris of Mount Cross Lutheran Church, helped organize Tuesday’s protest.

Many of the protesters on Tuesday were members of Mount Cross and other local churches and ranged from young students to elderly people. Some brought their families.

Camarillo resident Shelley Hernandez attended the protest with her three adopted children: Nevaeh, 3; Cypress, 10; and Alasia, 14. The three children, who are Black, held up signs that said “Justice for George” and placards picturing his face.

 

Hernandez said she brought her kids to the event to show them that they could do something peaceful in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I wanted them to know that their lives matter,” she said.

One Camarillo couple, Terry and Tim Helton, said they attended the protest because it felt right to show their support.

“My heart has been broken for days. I’ve lost sleep over this. It’s devastating to see one after another Black person being killed,” Terry Helton said.

Protesters received support from the majority of passersby. Many drivers honked their horns and raised thumbs-up signs or clenched fists to show their solidarity.

One man spoke against the rally as protesters gathered in front of the stage in Constitution Park to hear organizers speak. He said the media is feeding lies to the protesters.

“White lives matter. Black lives matter,” the man said, but was cut off by the crowd’s loud applause in response to Davis’ speech.

Organizers were in communication with officials before the protest. City officials released a statement Tuesday morning informing the public of the “planned peaceful protest.”

“Your safety and well-being is our city’s top priority, and we want you to know that the Camarillo Police Department is actively patrolling the community and monitoring social media for any potential threats of looting or rioting,” city spokesperson Michelle Glueckert D’Anna said.

Most of the protesters wore face coverings and tried to keep their distance from one another.

After the protest and a closing prayer, Morris invited attendees to join a community reading of “How To Be an Antiracist” hosted by Mount Cross Lutheran.