LIVE TV

© 2025 WGCU News

PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida

LIVE TV

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Anger, Tension, and Some Arrests - But No Violence at Naples Protest

WGCU | By Julie Glenn

Published June 2, 2020 at 9:03 AM EDT

"I won't let you won't kill me or my child," a protester yells at a Collier County Sheriff's Deputy on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process. — "I won't let you kill me or my child," a protester yells at a Collier County Sheriff's Deputy on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US-41 in the process.

Protesters were originally told the event was cancelled, but when more than 200 showed up, they marched.

Skies rumbled with thunder, law enforcement was outfitted in riot gear, a police helicopter whirred overhead, and the protesters who showed up were told the event was canceled. Still, the crowd of mostly young people had grown to more than 200. Speeches were made, and the inertia of those words moved people onto the street where they marched up U.S. 41 toward Naples' posh Fifth Avenue South.

Famed for its high-end shopping and restaurants, the street wasn't crowded with its usual patrons this overcast Monday night. Still, some diners sauntered out from restaurants to wave and give a thumbs up. Others shook their heads and ducked back indoors. But a few even joined the marching crowd and walked alongside them.

In the end, shortly after sunset, the crowd began to disperse with no violence, although a few were arrested early on. Throughout the protest, the people marching were yelling to "keep it non-violent," while law enforcement officers repeatedly could be heard telling one another to, "show restraint."

More than 200 people protested on Monday in downtown Naples, in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protestors block a law enforcement vehicle from traveling on US 41 on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"We support you, but want you to be safe," Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Lt. Rich Hampton tells protestors on Monday in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protesters encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

A line of law enforcement blocked Fifth Avenue South as protesters chanted and surged forward. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protesters encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protestors encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Protesters encounter Collier County Sheriff's deputies on Monday on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"I won't let you won't kill me," a protester yells at Collier County Sheriff's deputy on Monday in downtown Naples.More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday in downtown Naples, in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday in downtown Naples, in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday in downtown Naples, in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"Danger. That's what I feel when I see the police," Jade Smith, 26, said on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday outside the Collier County Courthouse in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"This is government versus the people," Nick Gatian said on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

"I'm scared for him when he is out in public," Daisy Popoli said of her boyfriend Quincy Alexander on Monday during a protest outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples. More than 200 people protested in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

More than 200 people protested on Monday outside the Collier County Courthouse in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protestors and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protesters began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Olivia Ponston, 18, and Merlica Faustin, 18, protest on Monday outside the Collier County Courthouse in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been charged in Floyd's killing. There were several tense encounters between protesters and Collier County Sheriff's deputies in combat gear, but no violence broke out. Several arrests were made. Protestors began at the Collier County Courthouse, marched to Fifth Avenue South, closing US 41 in the process.

Tags

WGCU News Local Protest

Julie Glenn

(1971 - 2022)

See stories by Julie Glenn

More from WGCU

Arts & Culture

Two outdoor art festivals take place over the Jan. 3 weekend

Tom Hall

The Naples New Year's Art Fair and Sarasota Winter Fine Art Festival take place January 3-4.
Arts & Culture

Arts Center Theatre celebrates holidays with 'Singin' and Swingin' - The Holiday Songbook' with Charlie Blum and Kristyn Estes

Tom Hall

Marco Island Center for the Arts is celebrating the start of Christmas week with “Singin' and Swingin' – The Holiday Songbook.” It’s a musical revue that features singer Charlie Blum. He’ll not only perform. Director Hyla Crane points out that he’s also the one who chose the music for the show.
Human Interest

Think fire safety ahead of the holidays to keep things joyful

WGCU Staff

The Sarasota County Fire Department wants the community to have a safe holiday season by sharing safety tips and demonstrating the possible dangers of a dry tree and flammable holiday décor. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or against the home outside. Decorations should be at least three feet away from heat sources.

Environment

One eaglet out and in the nest; second egg's pip not confirmed

Michael Braun

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday night E26 popped into the world, freshly hatched and fully out of its shell.
Environment

Lines are drawn in Florida’s black bear hunt

WGCU News, Jennifer Crawford

For the first time in a decade, a black bear hunt has returned to Florida. FWC reports that they received over 163,000 applications for the chance to win one of only 172 bear tags.
Government & Politics

Town of Fort Myers Beach cancels fireworks display in austerity push

WGCU Staff

Due to an austerity push, the Town of Fort Myers Beach will not hold a fireworks display this coming year.