This past Saturday, May 30, local teenagers Gwen Goodacre, 18, Gabe Gonzalez, 19 and a third young person who would like to remain anonymous attended a protest in Downtown Sarasota in response to the killing of George Floyd. Underwhelmed by the turn-out, they decided to organize another protest the following day.

They circulated the flyer advocating their support of the Black Live Matters movement and announcing the protest on social media to take place the following day. In the flyer, the organizers asked for individuals attending the gathering to offer a peaceful protest. City of Sarasota officials provided support, blocking intersections from Payne Park to the end of Main Street.

"I have never and will never experience what it is like to be a black woman or man in America,” said organizer Gwen Goodacre. “What I can do is use my privilege to help organize events, donate, advocate against police brutality, advocate for minorities' mental health, and health care, urge people my age to vote for their rights, and, most of all, help educate others on why Black Lives Matter is what matters right now.”

A crowd turned up and made their way through Downtown Sarasota in the Florida heat with signs advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement that also called for remembrance of George Floyd and the other victims of police violence. The protest remained peaceful and ended back at Payne Park with a string of passionate speeches from members of the crowd.

"My hopes for the future are simple," said Gabe Gonzalez. "We want peace, unity, and equality for all people, but the first step to that, is standing up for those that are treated lesser than."