From 1000 to 1300 protestors gathered at the Yellowstone County Courthouse to protest the ‘in custody death’ of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers. The policemen were responding to a complaint of Floyd passing a counterfeit $20 bill and “acting strangely” outside the store.
While the exact cause of Floyd’s death is clouded in competing autopsies, it is clear that a policeman kneeling on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds was a major/deciding contributor.
The protest, centering on Black Lives Matter, was well-orchestrated by Amber Palmer of Billings, Not In Our Town, the Billings Police Dept., various motorcycle groups, and self-proclaimed Montana militia members. All of these communicated before the event and agreed to keep it peaceful. The Billings police had a visible presence but kept their reserves quietly out of site.
The rumor that Antifa would show up to make the protest into a riot was greeted with “shoot to kill” Facebook posts by militia groups and skepticism by the police that Antifa would even show up. In the end militant groups like Antifa never showed up, and the protest against police brutality was peaceful. Similar warnings of Antifa showing up in small towns were ginned up and posted across America. Antifa has never showed up at any small town during this demonstration period.
Protestors laid on the ground at the Yellowstone County Courthouse park with their hands behind their backs to symbolize that Floyd was in custody and not resisting when he died. The question of why he was not simply put in a patrol car after being handcuffed is central to the ongoing, multiple, state and federal investigations of Floyd’s death. The full contingent of demonstrators marched around the block chanting, “What’s his name?… George Floyd”, and “Black Lives Matter” and “Hands up – Don’t shoot.” Small contingents chanted “**ck Trump.” Despite a drenching thunderstorm protestors laid down in the street with their hands behind their backs for 8 minutes and 46 seconds chanting their slogans.
Pro-demonstrator Alessa Caldwell of Billings said she was there to “Stop the spread of racism and show support for Black Lives Matter.”
She said, “I am half black and half white. I have been discriminated against and so have my friends. I am peacefully demonstrating to show support for those that have also suffered prejudice and racism.”
Nick Johnson, also a Billings resident, with a M1A/M-14 slung over his shoulder, said he was not there to intimidate protestors but rather to provide security for local businesses. When asked if the Billings Downtown Association, or the Billings Police Dept. had asked for his help he replied, “No, but after seeing how bad Minneapolis and Los Angeles had it, we need to be prepared.”
When it was pointed out that the demonstrators were actually very respectful and peaceful, Nick replied, “Yes, they are. I am very happy about that. Actually, it is kind of fun to watch.” While he spoke his sister, Kate Johnson, kept a sharp watch, her semi-automatic side arm in plain view.
While both groups were wary of each other, occasionally they met in small groups arguing, chatting, and laughing as the demonstration unfolded around them.
No arrests were reported. A pretty good outcome; all things considered.
