Demonstrators Protesting Death of George Floyd Descend on Old Pasadena

Protestors carrying signs protesting the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police converged on a major intersection in Old Pasadena shortly at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Less than one hour later, the City of Pasadena declared a local state of emergency and ordered an 8 p.m. curfew.

The protest event originally centered on Fair Oaks Avenue at Colorado Boulevard. It was announced by a tweet at about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Beneath the stylized image of a rose and against a photograph of the intersection at dusk, the announcement says “Join Us in Solidarity for George Floyd Tonight in Old Town Colorado & Fair Oaks 6:30 p.m.”

The organizers are not identified in the announcement.

Reporters for Pasadena Now have also received an image of T-shirts apparently printed for tonight’s protest which carry the names of seven local black men who have died during encounters with Pasadena police over the years.

A Pasadena police spokesman said that peaceful and orderly demonstrations are welcome, but not destructive ones.

About 5:30 p.m. the South Lake Business Association told its members “Pasadena Police just had a briefing and have advised us to alert you that protestors are expected to arrive shortly in Old Pasadena which is just west of South Lake Avenue. You may want to consider taking any necessary precautions corresponding to your business and/or property.”

Chief of Police John Perez said earlier today “if you truly feel that you have be out there and make your voice heard, do it peacefully.”

“Do it with intent to make change. Do not get involved in what we’ve been seeing on TV. We have to make sure that the aftermath of all this is getting the change that we want, [not] destruction, by fires, by violence, by loss of life. We just don’t want to see that.”