People from throughout the area gathered in the city of Cypress Friday for a “Black Lives Matter” protest march. Although crowd estimates are hard to make, Cypress police estimated between 400-500 people march in formation, 8 to 10 people wide, chanting “no justice, no peace.”
The massive column of people marched from Winner’s Circle near Katella to Hope Street and back. The leaders of the protest were nearly a block ahead of the end of the spirited protest.
Like two preceding protests earlier in the week in Los Alamitos, protesters were peaceful, wore masks and carried handmade signs saying “Black Lives Matter,” “No justice, no peace,” and some incorporated new themes such as “Defund police.”
One unidentified woman carried a sign protesting the fact that nearly 50 percent of the budget of Cypress is absorbed by the police department. “Your voice matters. 48.3% of the annual budget for Cypress goes toward $police funding,” said her sign.
Joanna Walker, of La Palma, said she attended the protest said she is afraid for the safety of her two brothers. “I want people to recognize the injustice,” she said.
Cora Miller, of Cypress, said “people should work together” to bring change to the injustice to the black community.
Kevin Newman, of Cypress, said he was there simply to express his support for change.
Cypress Police Chief Rod Cox released a statement on Twitter on behalf of the city and the police department, thanking the participants in the march for their peaceful protest.
“I would like to thank all of the peaceful participants in today’s march for showing they can have their voices heard in a non-violent manner and in partnership with law enforcement,” said Cox.
Cox also thanked neighboring police departments, including Buena Park, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Garden Grove “for their role in keeping everyone safe today.”
