Smithtown protesters march in support of racial equality, ending police brutality

It has been three weeks since the death of George Floyd ignited protests worldwide, and demonstrations continued across Long Island Monday as well.

News 12 Staff

Jun 15, 2020, 9:15 PM

Updated 1,585 days ago

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It has been three weeks since the death of George Floyd ignited protests worldwide, and demonstrations continued across Long Island Monday as well.
Protesters gathered at the Smithtown train station in a continued call to end police brutality and racial inequality. It was the third demonstration in Smithtown over the past eight days.
Over the course of the night, protesters marched to Town Hall.
"I want to see restoration of trust between police, peace officers and the public," says Rosie Garay, of Stony Brook.
For Kim Costa, of Hempstead, the demand for change is personal. She says her 12-year-old brother, Raymond, was killed in an act of hate when a group threw a Molotov cocktail through their window.
Costa says no one paid for the crime, and has spent the last 40 years fighting for justice for her brother and those like him.
"We have a lot of young people out here supporting us, a lot of white people out here supporting us. I think that's going to make a difference," says Costa.
During the first protest on June 7, protesters clashed with counter-protesters. Tempers flared when racial slurs and profanity were allegedly hurled at demonstrators, as Suffolk police tried to quell the tension.
Police say they're still investigating a report that two men were hit during a fight and are asking for the public's help identifying the person or people involved in what they call harassment and assault.
On Tuesday, more than 1,000 gathered in Smithtown to peacefully march in support of Black Lives Matter.