George Floyd Protests Planned In Detroit Friday

DETROIT, MI — Local civil rights groups have planned protests Friday over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died earlier this week while in custody of Minneapolis police.

Groups have planned a rally against police brutality scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at 1301 Third St.

"This will be a non-violent demonstration featuring a formal speaking program, march and informal speak-out so that everyone in the affected communities has a chance to be heard," the groups wrote on the Facebook event.

Floyd's death was recorded on video, showing him gasping for air while a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes. The video, recorded by a bystander, Floyd pleaded to the officer that he could not breath until he slowly stopped talking and became still.

The video quickly went viral, sparking nationwide protests calling for police reform and demanding justice for Floyd.

Protests have taken place across the nation, in some instances becoming violent, with gunshots fired at protests in Denver.

Friday's protest in Detroit is hosted by Metro Detroit Political Action Network, Occupy Detroit, Progressive Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party, Abolish ICE Detroit, March for Black Women Detroit and Detroit Anarchist Black Cross.