MISSOULA — Organizers have decided to call off a planned Missoula demonstration to mark the death of George Floyd.
The Showing Up For Racial Justice Missoula event -- which had been planned for 5 p.m. on Friday at the Missoula County Courthouse -- had seen hundreds of people showing interest in attending.
The organizers say they did include BIPOC along the way, and the reason for canceling was accounts of people threatening violence.
“This event has received an overwhelming show of participation that we were not prepared for and that raises valid concerns for the community that cannot be adequately addressed between now and Friday,” a social media post states.
“We do not feel that moving forward with the action planned for Friday would support the safety and voices of the BIPOC community in Missoula in the way we had intended,” the post continues.
Organizers told MTN News they feel responsible for the people who still show up and will be walking around the demonstration with hand sanitizer.
Daily protests over Floyd’s death have been taking place in downtown Missoula since May 29.
-information from Katie Miller included in this report
Photos: Missoula George Floyd protests
Missoula Floyd Protest
Demonstrators greet the passing traffic on Broadway in downtown Missoula.
Martin Kidston/Missoula Current
Missoula Floyd Protest
Antwon Henson leads a protest in downtown Missoula on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. “They don’t understand what we’re fighting for, and that kind of makes me angry,” he said of those who don’t understand the racial divide.
Martin Kidston/Missoula Current
Floyd Protest 6-1
People protesting the death of George Floyd in Missoula on June 1, 2020.
Russ Thomas/MTN News
Floyd Rally8.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Rally6.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Rally4.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Rally3.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Rall2.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Rally5.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Floyd Proests Speaker.jpg
A speaker addressing a Missoula rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, on May 29, 2020.
MTN News
Missoula Floyd Protest.jpg
Nita Vandegrift stands with her grandchildren on Wednesday morning. “We’re all human. Take away the color of skin and we’re no different,” she said.
Martin Kidston/Missoula Current
Floyd Protest 6-2 2
A protest in front of the Missoula County Courthouse on June 1, 2020 to mark the death of George Floyd.
Russ Thomas/MTN News
Floyd Protest 6-1 3
A protest in front of the Missoula County Courthouse on June 1, 2020 to mark the death of George Floyd.
Russ Thomas/MTN News
Floyd Missoula Proest9.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Missoula Floyd Protest 62.jpg
A protest over the death of George Floyd was held for the fifth straight day on June 2, 2020 in front of the Missoula County Courthouse.
Russ Thomas/MTN News
Missoula Floyd Counter Protestors.jpg
Counter-protesters displayed American flags with many even carrying guns and guarding nearby storefronts on June 3, 2020 in downtown Missoula.
MTN News
Missoula George Floyd Protest.jpg
May 30, 2020 marked the third straight day that a rally was held in front of the Missoula County Courthouse following the death of George Floyd.
MTN News
Floyd Rally8.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
Missoula Fltod Death Protest.jpg
A rally in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody, being held in Missoula on May 29, 2020.
Katie Miller/MTN News
