Paddle Out Near Manhattan Beach Pier Honors George Floyd

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Some 45 people took to the ocean just south of the Manhattan Beach Pier Saturday morning for a paddle out to honor George Floyd, a black man whose death at the hands of police in Minnesota has sparked nationwide and global protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality.

For Manhattan Beach residents Meg Vernon and Huma Javed, the paddle out was a great way to connect with others. "The ocean in general is such a powerful place," said Javed, who surfs. "So it's a powerful place to bring everyone together from our community to honor George Floyd."

For Vernon, who loves the ocean, it was the first time she'd gotten on a board, borrowing one from Javed. The two schlepped their boards from Highland Avenue, near Manhattan Beach Boulevard, to the sand just south of the pier where organizer Craig Davis [he was helped by Ryan Harris] gave a "great speech" and "we all huddled together on the sand," Javed said.

The conditions in the water were "crazy and pretty intense," said Javed, but that didn't keep her and Vernon from joining the others "on the other side of the swell" in a circle. They splashed in the water and disbursed their flowers after making wishes. Javed called the paddle out "raw and honest," and said it gave people the chance to connect in the water. "People were having conversations and just talking about whatever they wanted to talk about, whatever they're feeling, addressing stuff."

The paddle out was going on simultaneously with "Pop the Bubble' on Racism: A Peaceful Protest for Kids," which took place at the base of the pier with a walk along The Strand south to Hermosa Beach and back. Floyd's death has sparked outrage and many protests.

"What happened [to George Floyd] is just, well, actually there are a lot of words, right? We're using those words now," said Javed, "so I'm just really proud again and thanking Craig and all the people who put it all together and brought us out here.

"It's impressive to see people out [on the water]. Again, this is allowing people to rise up in every way and not be afraid anymore, to get out there," said Javed. Vernon said Davis' paddle out brought people together "to be allies, to be allies to everybody. And then he [Davis] was talking about poor George Floyd and also the end to police brutality and it's just so important to bring all of these issues to the forefront."