Volusia County

‘Democracy in action’: Volusia County sheriff describes peaceful protest in Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Volusia County saw two large protests Sunday over the death of George Floyd. Both were peaceful with no property damage or arrests.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said they'll be out here protecting people's right to peacefully protest.

Watch: Orange County leaders concerned protests could lead to increase in COVID-19 cases

A video from Volusia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter shows demonstrators lined up Sunday protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd.

“You saw democracy in action,” Chitwood said. “The First Amendment is supposed to work.”

Chitwood attended Sunday’s event at the Dunlawnton Bridge in Port Orange and said it was a peaceful mix of people from all ages, races and walks of life.

Watch: 1 local law enforcement agency trains deputies to use ‘vascular neck restraints’

“They wanted their voice heard,” Chitwood said. “And our job, from the law enforcement end, is to protect the protesters and those that protest the events and the property.”

Extra officers and deputies from DeLand police and the sheriff's office will be out along Woodland Blvd. for a protest happening Tuesday night.

More protests are scheduled for Deltona and Daytona Beach on Thursday.