TOMS RIVER – Police and protesters marched side by side in reaction to the murder of George Floyd, the man killed by Minneapolis police.
His death sparked protests – and riots – throughout the nation. Here in New Jersey, there have been peaceful protests, like in Freehold, and looting like in Atlantic City.
Katrina Garcia saw that no one was starting a protest or march of any kind in Toms River so she stepped up to fill that void.
Asked why she did it, she answered “My kids. My children’s future. My generation right now is messed up because the generation before me didn’t finish” what civil rights leaders started.
After she announced it, she said she wasn’t sure how it was going to go over. She was afraid that it was going to get shut down. She was afraid that a violent element might show up. Then, she got the email of support from Toms River police. She was contacted by a local preacher asking if he could attend.
“I kept faith in God and the community,” she said.
Eventually, about 300 people wound up being part of it. Police Chief Mitch Little and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer were among those who marched with them.
“I can’t be more proud and honored” with regards to her fellow protesters. “They really kept with the goal, which was peace.”
Her children, ages 8 and 3, watched her on TV from home. “My children tell me I’m their hero so I have to live up to that.”
In many of the more violent clashes that were reported, witnesses said that peaceful protests were disrupted by outside agitators.
In Toms River, police and the public joined together. There were prayers, discourse, and marching.
There were rumors early on that militant protestors would show up and damage property and go door to door attacking residents. These turned out to be only rumors – started by a white nationalist group trying to agitate emotions and foment a race war.
“We’re going to walk with these people. We’re going to support them,” Police Chief Mitch Little said.
He said he hoped that people from outside the community don’t come in and ruin the peaceful demonstration that local residents are trying to accomplish.
“We stand in solidarity with those that wish to protest peacefully,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a statement. “We are aware of rumors circulating on social media…and there is no evidence at this time to support those rumors. In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will be ready to handle any situation that may arise.”
