Florida

TIMELINE: George Floyd protests in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Watch our in-depth coverage below:

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Man arrested for allegedly trying to stab police with syringe during protest

11:30 p.m. update

Police say a man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly tried to stab police officers with an exposed syringe.

Ramsey Keith Moore, 29, was charged with attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, police said. The incident happened while a crowd of protesters gathered at Robinson Street and Rosalind Avenue.

It was not immediately known whether the needle was used, and what the needle’s contents were.

On Monday, police also arrested David Michael Froess, Jr., from Middleburg, after police found a hammer, crowbar, spray paint, two boxes of fireworks, a gas mask, rocks, two pairs of gloves, a knife and a pink spray bottle with an unknown substance inside.

Froess is being charged with disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon.

Tear gas deployed in downtown Orlando after protesters throw rocks, bottles at police

10:15 p.m. update

Despite a 10 p.m. curfew, a group of protesters remain downtown.

Police deployed tear gas on the protesters just before 10: 15 p.m.

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Police said the tear gas was deployed after protesters threw rocks and bottles at officers. All streets remain open.

Demonstrators move through downtown Orlando with law enforcement traveling along

8:45 p.m. update

Demonstrators are still marching through downtown, just one block west of us on Magnolia Ave. Law enforcement traveling parallel to them, driving against traffic on Rosalind.


Protests across downtown Orlando continue

7:45 p.m. update

Protests continue across downtown Orlando.

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WATCH LIVE: Protests against police brutality continue in downtown Orlando

WATCH LIVE: Protests against police brutality continue in downtown Orlando. Read: at.wftv.com/2U4DpoT

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Art station for protesters

6:25 p.m. update

Channel 9 reporter Megan Cruz spotted one demonstrator who created an art station for anyone who wanted to make protest signs.

See video of the protest from Skywitness 9 below:


OPD asks residents to stay inside

6:25 p.m. update

The Orlando Police Department asked people in downtown Orlando to stay inside and avoid the area because of demonstrations.

The agency also thanked protesters for demonstrating peacefully.


Protesters splinter into separate groups

6:05 p.m. update

The Orlando Police Department said several large groups of demonstrators are marching through downtown Orlando. Some of the protesters remain outside the agency’s headquarters on South Street.

Police said drivers should expect delays in the area.

Read: Huge Confederate flag overlooking Tampa interstate highways taken down

Lymmo has temporarily shut down its Grapefruit and Lime lines.

Click here to watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 6 live.

Click here to see live video of the protest from Skywitness 9.


OPD asks drivers to avoid SR 408

5:40 p.m. update

The Orlando Police Department said demonstrations are affecting State Road 408.

The agency took to Twitter to ask drivers to avoid the road in the downtown Orlando area.

Channel 9 reporter Jeff Deal said much of the group remains outside the Orlando Police Department headquarters, but part of the group has left the area.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the rally.


More than 2K gathered outside OPD headquarters

5:20 p.m. update

The Orlando Police Department said more than 2,000 people are demonstrating outside the agency’s South Street headquarters.

Protesters marched through Parramore following a rally held outside Orlando City Hall.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the rally.


Thousands march through downtown Orlando

4:45 p.m. update

Demonstrators who were attending a rally outside Orlando City Hall are now marching through Parramore to get to the Orlando Police Department.

Read: Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather will pay for George Floyd’s funeral

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the rally, and click here to see live video from Skywitness 9.


Thousands gather in downtown Orlando for George Floyd rally

4:15 p.m. update

Thousands of people have gathered outside Orlando City Hall in downtown Orlando for a rally honoring George Floyd.

Skywitness 9 is flying over the rally. Click here to watch live.

Read: Huge Confederate flag overlooking Tampa interstate highways taken down

Reporter Jeff Deal said it was the largest crowd he has ever seen gathered outside the government building.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the rally.


Roads closed in downtown Orlando as protesters gather at City Hall

3:45 p.m. update

Downtown Orlando is seeing increased police activity and road closures as protesters continue to gather at City Hall.

Orlando police said it’s “committed to supporting the rights of citizens to peacefully demonstrate, while protecting residents & businesses.”


Protesters gather at downtown at Orlando City Hall

3:30 p.m. update

People are gathering Tuesday for another demonstration in downtown Orlando at City Hall.

These demonstrators are joining thousands more nationwide in calling for change after the death of George Floyd.


Cocoa police speak on George Floyd’s death

1:50 p.m. update

The Cocoa Police Department has released a statement about the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests.

“What happened to George Floyd should never have happened. We stand with those who demand justice and real change, and we condemn the actions of those involved in this tragic death,” the agency said in a Facebook post. “We understand there is outrage, anger, and frustration over these injustices.”

Read: 1 local law enforcement agency trains deputies to use vascular neck restraints

The department said it supports peaceful protests but not violence.

“We stand united with our community to peacefully enact change, but we do not condone rioting, looting and violent protests we see around the country,” the agency said. “We support the rights of people to demonstrate and make their voices heard, and we will continue to protect this way of life.”

Read: ‘You absolutely matter’: Protesters, officers unify in Kissimmee against police brutality

See the full statement below:

St. Petersburg officer suffers minor injury during protest

12:55 p.m. update

Officials said at least one police officer in St. Petersburg suffered a minor injury during a protest outside of the agency’s headquarters Monday evening.

St. Petersburg police said in a Facebook post that a group of about 200 protesters were outside the headquarters around 11 p.m. when some began to tear the covers off parking meters and threw them at officers.

Police say they deployed smoke and the crowd dispersed after some threw rocks and bottles at the officers.


4 officers shot in St. Louis

12:34 p.m. update

St. Louis police confirmed four officers were shot early Tuesday morning after peaceful protests ended and social unrest escalated.

Their injuries are believed to be non life-threatening.


Massive Confederate flag lowered in Tampa

11:45 a.m. update

A huge Confederate battle flag has been lowered from its towering pole near Interstates 4 and 75 outside Tampa after threats appeared on social media to set it on fire during protests of the killings of black people by white authorities.

Read: ‘Blackout Tuesday’: Music, other entertainment industries go silent on social media to protest killing of George Floyd

David R. McCallister leads the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

He said he wants people to know that removing the 30-foot by 60-foot battle flag wasn’t a decision made in fear, adding that they don’t want the flag to be an “excuse for anyone to do illegal acts.”

Click here to watch live updates on protests on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.


Lake County lawmaker says tweet of AR-15 with message to protesters was warning, ‘not a threat’

8:48 a.m. update

Lake County Rep. Anthony Sabatini claims he tweeted a warning when he sent out a picture of an AR-15 and wrote a message for potential protesters.

The lawmakers tweet was taken to be a threat by some.

"What I tweeted was a warning and not a threat,” he said. “A warning if they do that in Lake County businesses, there’s a very good chance that firearms are going to be present. They’re probably going to be shot if they burglarize.”

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, so far there haven’t been any issues with businesses being burglarized or vandalized.

County officials said protests are planned for this week in the county.

Read: Lake County lawmaker says tweet of AR-15 with message to protesters was warning, ‘not a threat’


Orlando mayor expects demonstrations throughout week

4:45 a.m. update

Orlando officials are expecting continued demonstrations throughout the week, according to The City Beautiful’s Twitter account.

Residents should also expect road closures downtown and an increased police presence.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement that he was proud of the city’s peaceful demonstrators.

Read: TIMELINE: George Floyd protests in Central Florida

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

Christopher Boyce, WFTV.com

Christopher Boyce joined WFTV in January of 2019.

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