This is a list of protests that took place in San Diego County, California, following the murder of George Floyd that took place on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. These events were created to fight for justice for George Floyd and other Black community members who suffer from police brutality. These demonstrations resulted in a number of policy changes, namely the ban of the cartoid neck restraints use in San Diego County and a city-wide independent review board that would review police practices.
Timeline of county actions On June 3, the county requested the Army National Guard to "assist with security in the region due to recent civil unrest."
On June 4, law enforcement agencies with Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa, National City, Oceanside, San Diego, San Diego State University, University of California, San Diego, the San Diego Community College District, and San Diego Unified School District, as well as the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and San Diego Harbor Police, announced they will no longer use carotid restraint to subdue suspects.
On June 6, hundreds of cars caravanned from La Jolla to Santee, City Heights, National City and finally Otay Mesa Detention Facility.
Locations
4S Ranch On June 2, around 400 to 500 protesters demonstrated at a busy intersection in 4S Ranch. Earlier in the day, a car caravan protest starting at the 4S Ranch Library drove through Rancho Bernardo and adjacent communities.
Carlsbad On June 5, hundreds of protesters rallied in Cannon Park in Carlsbad, where 8'46" of silence was observed. Carlsbad Police said they were investigating "a threat of violence against the rally", but the protest concluded peacefully.
Chula Vista On June 4, more than 100 protesters in the Chula Vista Community Park called for police reforms and equal justice. The mayor and chief of police knelt in silence with the group
On June 8, a 2:00 p.m. protest started again at Chula Vista Community Park and then marched down Eastlake Parkway.
Coronado On May 31, a makeshift memorial for Floyd was set up on a sidewalk near Coronado's central beach. The community kept it growing for days as people left notes, flowers, and candles.
On June 13, about 150 students from the Coronado Unified School District spoke up about the racism they experienced in schools.
Encinitas On May 31, over 400 Encinitas residents gathered at the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture, also known as the Cardiff Kook, in Encinitas in commemoration of Floyd. A memorial on the statue was erected in honor of Floyd and other black victims of police violence. Cellphone footage later that night shows a woman attempting to dismantle the display by tearing down flowers and posters. Another person attempts to hold out their arms to block the memorial from her. In response to the incident, community members and protesters rebuilt the memorial and stood guard for the following nights. The memorial, which was originally meant to be temporary, remained for several weeks
On June 3, several local nonprofit organizations organized a protest at Moonlight beach that drew crowds of over several thousand people. The event, called "Paddle Out for Unity in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter", had demonstrations taking place along the beach, cliffs, and in the water. A paddle out is a memorial service in surf culture, typically used for a fallen surfer. The organizers aimed to help memorialize and mourn Floyd, as well as other black lives taken that year, including Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Protesters erected a display of over 70 surfboards in the sand to spell out the word "unity" and took part in an 8'46" of silence.
On June 5, hundreds gathered for a protest held in front of the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture to show continued support for the fight against police brutality. Some regional and city politicians made appearances and spoke at the event, including California Congressman Mike Levin, Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, and Encinitas Councilwoman Kelli Hinze.
On June 7, around 200 people, mainly families with children and surfers, gathered at Cardiff State Beach for a "paddle-out" memorial and demonstration.
On June 8, doctors, nurses, and health professionals rallied at the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture in Cardiff at 2:00 p.m., while another protest occurred hours later at 5:00 p.m. at Cardiff River Mouth Beach.
On June 9, between 300 and 400 high school students protested at Moonlight Beach and marched to an intersection on Coast Highway.
Escondido On June 2, over 300 protesters gathered outside of the Escondido Police Department. The demonstrators held up signs and chanted slogans. Several police officers, including Chief Ed Varso, took to their knees in solidarity with the protesters.
On June 3, around 200 people knelt down on one knee in front of Escondido City Hall to protest police violence. City Councilwoman Olga Diaz spoke at the event to advocate for police reforms.
On June 5, several hundred Black Lives Matter activists gathered in front of Escondido City Hall.
Imperial Beach On June 7, a protest was underway at Imperial Beach Pier Plaza when a group of men started to throw eggs at protesters. One man went to take a video of the incident and was sucker-punched from behind. Two men were eventually arrested for their involvement in the attack and were charged with felony assault and hate crimes, to which they both plead guilty.
On July 3, a candlelight vigil to commemorate victims of police brutality was attended by over 50 people at Veterans Park.
On December 13, a six-wall mural was painted in honor of Floyd and to show support for a diverse Imperial Beach. The artist, Milan Elise Finnie, was commissioned by a local advocacy group. One of the walls includes a portrait of Floyd’s youngest daughter, Gianna, who was only six years old at the time of her father's murder.
Julian A protest occurred on June 4 at Julian. About 100 demonstrators lined Main Street with signs supporting Black Lives Matter.
La Mesa On May 29, La Mesa was the site of the first protests in the county following Floyd's murder, partly attributed to a video of a local arrest of another unarmed black man named Amaurie Johnson. Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the La Mesa Police Department following a viral video of the Wednesday arrest at the San Diego Trolley station at Grossmont Transit Center, which resulted in a white officer being put on leave. Marchers say they felt compelled in light of what's happening nationally.On May 30, about 1,000 protesters started at the police station and took to the streets, breaking through a police line and making their way to Interstate 8, where they blocked both sides of traffic. Back at the police station, graffiti was scrawled on the walls and some people threw rocks and bottles. Around 6 p.m., police began using tear gas, pepper balls, flash-bang, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. At about 8 p.m., looting began at a nearby Vons and Play It Again Sports at La Mesa Springs Shopping Center, and fires were started at that Vons and in downtown La Mesa at Chase Bank and Union Bank. The Play It Again Sports owner, who recovered some of his merchandise as looters fled, said most of the perpetrators were young, perhaps not even 18 years old. He said the store suffered an estimated $200,000 in damage. The violence also spread to Grossmont Center, which suffered vandalism and where the Walmart was looted. A 59 year old great-grandmother named Leslie Furcron was shot in the face by a rubber bullet. The graphic video went viral.
On June 1, citizens, including a member of La Mesa City Council, organized a "La Mesa Civil Defense" group on Facebook to "protect the town" by "standing in front of the buildings with fire extinguishers and garden hoses." One anonymous member of the group feared vigilantism.
On June 3, the National Guard was called to La Mesa.
On June 5, the LMPD announced late Friday that it has dropped all of the charges against the man arrested at the Trolley station.
On June 10, Leslie Furcron gave a press conference after her release from the hospital after being shot in the face with a rubber bullet by La Mesa Police on May 30.
On June 14, around 400 Black Lives Matter protesters, including more than 200 motorcyclists and women wearing hijabs, read a list of "non-negotiable demands" including a town hall meeting and the release of the name of the officer who shot Furcron in the face. The Chief of Police stated: “We are going to continue to work toward those [demands].”
On June 30, Johnson filed a lawsuit against several members of the La Mesa Police Department alleging excessive force and racially motivated violence.
On August 1, around 300 protesters gathered at La Mesa City Hall for a "We Demand Justice For Our Womxn [sic] Of Color" event. Several "physical altercations" occurred between the protesters and a civil defense group called "Defend East County". One counter-protester was arrested.
On November 3, the San Diego FBI field office, in combination with the police departments from the cities of San Diego and La Mesa, arrested two male suspects for allegedly committing arson on the Chase Bank in the May 30th protest and looting.
On December 16, Furcron announced a lawsuit accusing Detective Eric Knudsen and the city of La Mesa of battery, emotional distress and civil rights violations.
On January 6, 2021, San Diego County District Attorney announced no criminal charges would be brought against officer Knudson, who shot 59-year old protester, Furcron, with a rubber bullet in the face. It was deemed that the officer was acting in self defense since he believed he was being hit with a rock by Furcron. It was later revealed that Furcron had thrown an empty Red Bull can.
On January 3, 2021, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that Officer Dages was charged with filing a false police report in regards to the incident at the trolley station. Dages was acquitted at trial in December 2021. On April 12, 2022, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled that his firing from the La Mesa Police Department was "supported by the weight of the evidence."
On March 17, 2023, the La Mesa City Council settled with Furcron, who experienced a medically induced coma and lost vision in one eye. She was awarded $10 million. Her attorney described it as "perhaps the largest non-death excessive use of force settlement in San Diego County history."
Oceanside On June 4, a peaceful protest took place in Oceanside. On June 7, hundreds gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally in Oceanside. One of the organizers of the rally defused a potentially volatile situation when a 16-year-old white male was spotted "carrying a knife and acting strangely" at the rally.
On August 9, about 100 protesters took to the streets carrying signs and chanting and marched from Coast Highway to Oceanside Boulevard.
Poway On May 31, about 75 people gathered on Poway Road with signs supporting Black Lives Matter. A curfew was set by the City of Poway.
On June 4 in Poway, more than 100 marched from a busy intersection, crossed to the adjacent intersection, and laid down on the ground for nine minutes.
On June 25, about 100 protesters rallied at a major intersection chanting and holding signs reading "Everyone vs. Racism" and "All Lives Don't Matter Until Black Lives Matter."
Ramona On June 1, protesters chanting "Black Lives Matter" were confronted by self-described patriots who "aimed to defend Ramona against violence." On June 2, more than 100 protesters carried signs reading "Justice for George Floyd" and "End police brutality" at a busy intersection. Standing among them were "community peacekeepers" carrying Trump signs.
Rancho Peñasquitos