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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Black Lives Matter Houston held a second protest and march for George Floyd in Emancipation Park on Saturday.
After protests on Friday escalated into riots, with crowds throwing debris at police officers and hundreds of people being arrested, city leaders are calling for protesters to peacefully practice their First Amendment rights.
Saturday’s march began around 3 p.m. in Third Ward where Floyd grew up and continued down Emancipation Ave.
Stefania Okolie✔@StefaniaOnABC13
NOW: Protestors have began a march along Emancipation Ave in 3rd Ward in honor of #GeorgeFloyd . Live report at 6 #Abc13
Stefania Okolie✔@StefaniaOnABC13
Powerful moment during protest for #GeorgeFloyd in his 3rd Ward neighborhood. Activist gets on the ground in the very position Floyd lost his life as officer kneeled on his neck. https://abc13.com/nationwide-protests-erupt-following-george-floyds-death/6220339/ …
A vigil to honor the Houston native was scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday. Hundreds of people filled the streets to march from Emancipation Park to City Hall.
During the vigil and rally, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and other officers marched for three hours with protestors.
“I’m proud of this Third Ward crowd, predominantly Third Ward crowd, who paid homage to the Floyd family by lifting up his name, calling for change and keeping the focus on him,” Acevedo said.
He anticipates it being another long night in Houston. He said many people came to join the protest after dark, and he believes they came to cause trouble.
“The people of Third Ward was not about throwing bottles and vandalizing, they wanted to affect change,” Acevedo said.
WATCH: Chief Art Acevedo speaks about second night of protests in Houston
Floyd died in handcuffs when an officer kneeled on his neck for at least eight minutes in Minneapolis. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested and charged with third degree murder.