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In Burbank, Protesters Marching In Honor Of George Floyd Are Encouraged To Vote
Sara Tomko at the protest in Burbank. (Credit: Robert Garrova/LAist)
On Tuesday, the day of George Floyd’s funeral, there were protests across Southern California. In Burbank, more than 100 people gathered in the parking lot of the Empire Center mall for a protest and march.
Organizers came ready with snacks and water bottles to battle the 90-plus degree weather.
Burbank Police also showed up and offered their support, organizer Benjamin Abiola said.
The mood was at times somber, with Abiola calling the march in honor of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and “all those that we’ve lost to police brutality.”
But there was also joy and pre-march dancing in the sweltering parking lot.
“Of course some people are treating it like Coachella and there’s nothing we can do about that,” Abiola said. “But we want to make sure that those in attendance know why we’re out here.”
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Using a PA system, Abiola reminded attendees to vote and to sign a Change.org petition “to get the officers who killed Breonna Taylor arrested.”
Sara Tomko sat on the roof of her car holding a sign that read: “Your Badge Will Not Protect You From Your Karma.” She said she was thinking of George Floyd and his family. And she’s encouraging people to be comfortable with being uncomfortable right now.
“This is going to go on for many, many months,” Tomko said. “In fact it’s going to be a lifetime of work. And it’s time to show up.”
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