Haddonfield Police, Residents Show Unity After George Floyd Death

HADDONFIELD, NJ — More than 300 residents of Haddonfield and the neighboring communities gathered in a peaceful display of solidarity, even as images of violence in other cities in the wake of George Floyd’s death took over the news nationwide this weekend.

“Our Haddonfield Police Department was proud to support and participate in this event,” the police department said in a statement posted on social media. “Our hope is to build upon the words and actions of those who marched beside us today as we continue our commitment to combatting bias and racism.”

The display came one day after Haddonfield Police Chief Jason Cutler and Director of Public Safety Colleen Bianco Bezich encouraged communication between police and the community after Floyd’s death. Read more here: Haddonfield Police Stress Community Relations

Floyd, a black man, was handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street Monday when officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Floyd became unresponsive after 2 minutes, 53 seconds, according to the criminal complaint.

Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In the wake of Floyd's death, protests against racism and police brutality have sparked around the world.
Protests in other parts of the state also began peacefully before violence took hold later Sunday night. Protests also resulted in mass destruction in Philadelphia over the weekend.

“As Chief Cutler stated at the outset of the march, ‘What happened this week is deplorable, we all condemn it.... We are going to be walking with you because we support you,’" the police department said.

Anyone who wants to share their feelings can email Policeadmin@haddonfield-nj.gov and cbbezich@haddonfield-nj.gov.