Protests over the death of George Floyd continued across Long Island Monday following a weekend of tensions between protesters and police across the nation.
Floyd was killed one week ago in Minneapolis after being arrested. An officer pinned him onto the ground and kept his knee on his neck until he became unresponsive.
At the Macy's shopping center in Commack, an area was sectioned off for protesters to stand in. Crowds multiplied into the hundreds Monday afternoon, including people of different races and ages.
VIDEO: More from the protest in Commack
Suffolk police were seen patrolling from a distance, saying they wanted everyone to feel comfortable in making their opinions known. They say the protest was nothing but peaceful, with good dialogue between demonstrators and officers.
Keeping Commack protesters safe was a priority - the crowd was largely seen wearing masks, and people were on hand with extra masks and water.
Extended footage of the protest in Commack:
One health care worker who was on the front lines of the coronavirus battle came out in her scrubs on her lunch break to show support.
Greenlawn's Victoria Alford brought her 11-year-old with her to the protest so she could see firsthand what people are fighting for.
undefined"I don't think it's going to be my generation. It's going to be her generation," she says. "I'm going to teach her to love people that look different than you. Love people that speak differently than you, that act differently than you. Because what's happening now is not OK."
A private security company told News 12 Long Island that it patrolled the parking lot overnight out of precaution. They added that a makeshift fence was to be put in place along Veterans Memorial Highway.
Businesses opened as usual inside at the Macy's shopping center, and said protesters over the weekend were respectful.
In Port Jefferson Station, hundreds gathered at the intersection of routes 347 and 112 to spread a message of tolerance and equal rights.
VIDEO: Protests in West Islip
And in West Islip, organizers say they want residents to stand up and speak out, even if they've never experienced racism themselves.
"If you are silent in the face of oppression, you're telling the people who are killing black people that you're OK with it and that they shouldn't experience any consequences," says Bridget Squitire. "We're here today to say we're not OK with it and they need to face consequences."
Protesters hold a demonstration on Higbie Lane in West Islip
Protesters hold a demonstration on Higbie Lane in West Islip
Protesters hold a demonstration on Higbie Lane in West Islip
More than 2,000 people came together in Mineola to be part of what organizers insist isn't a moment, but a movement.
Baldwin's Erika Hill grew up on Long Island and says she's scared for herself and her family.
"A lot of times people come to these kinds of protests and they look like they're standing in solidarity, but when you go back home when you're in your own neighborhood they're still afraid of me," says Hill.
It was the largest protest so far on Long Island. There was a visible police presence around the perimeter of the crowd, but Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the group was peaceful.
Police say there were no arrests or property damage.