Young Girl, Son Who Lost Dad In Police Shooting Among Protesters

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A 13-year-old black girl who wants to grow up in a community without racism and a son who lost his father to a police shooting were among those who marched in peaceful protests over the weekend around the Miami area. They shared a common message for justice in the death of George Floyd, defunding police departments and racial equality for all.

"I'm trying to get my friends to come and support me," Egyptia Green, 13, told Patch with a toothy smile. "There were little kids that came, so it was really nice that I influenced them to come and support me."

Green, who is entering the eighth grade at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, wants to be a tennis player some day but she organized a protest march in Miami Beach on Sunday to make sure black children like her have a chance at life without racism.

"I'm asking for justice and peace in the world. It doesn't matter what our color is. I know black people like me aren't treated right," she said. "I also wanted to do it for kids. They don't have to be afraid. I don't want them to be afraid of their future — or is someone going to put their knee on their neck — or is someone going to shoot them."

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• Dozens Arrested In Miami During Weekend Protests

Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola attended one of Sunday's protests that began on iconic Ocean Drive and ended blocks away in front of the Miami Beach Police Headquarters where metal barricades had been pre-positioned around the building to keep protesters at a distance from the main entrance.

"All of the elected officials here in Miami Beach stand with the protesters. We hear you loud and clear," Arriola told the crowd. "There are changes coming. Let your voices be heard, but do it peacefully. That is the message that has to be heard. We're hearing you. We're seeing you but we can't have looting and rioting."

Arriola told Patch his city is conducting a review of its police polices in response to the demonstrations. "We are examining right now our police use of force and we have asked the city manager and the chief of police to report back to us later this month on their findings."

Inez Bikic, a white Miami Beach resident who was protesting in Miami Beach, said she was disappointed that Arriola didn't have specific changes to share with the crowd.

"The fact that he took the mike and immediately had to talk about the looting, I think completely takes away from the protest, from the march and from the whole movement," she shared. "We focus on the damage to property instead of focusing on the damage to lives."

She stressed defunding the police should not be confused with abolishing police. "It means we're funneling millions that the police get into neighborhoods that need it, into black neighborhoods — into Liberty City in Miami," said Bikic, who manages a retail store. "We need police to be retrained to be like social workers. They need to be able to actually handle people. They need to know how to de-escalate situations. We're trained how to de-escalate situations in average companies."

Pro-Trump rallies also took place around the Miami area over the weekend to support police, including rallies in downtown Miami, Miami Lakes and Fort Lauderdale, where one boater placed a giant bust of the president on their vessel.

Joe Morris of Tallahassee, traveled to Miami Beach for Sunday's protests. He told Patch his father, Roy, was shot and killed by Manatee County Sheriff's deputies. Rather than being angry, he said he wanted to raise his voice in protest.

"We want to have the cops use love and compassion," he said. "A lot of these police aim to kill. They got a Taser; They don't use it. When they got an opportunity to shoot someone in the foot, they don't do that. They go straight for the head. My father was shot in the head. They could have avoided it."

One protester said he once stayed in Miami Beach for five months and observed police behavior toward black visitors over that period.

"Any time there's a black event in Miami Beach the police enhance the presence," he told protesters. "They box us in like little dogs. No wonder there's fights."