Protests continue in Minneapolis and across the country in response to the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in Minnesota. Floyd died after a white police officer in Minneapolis kneeled on his neck.
Springfield's chief of police, Paul Williams, in a letter to citizens Friday, said he was shocked by the behavior of the Minneapolis Police officers that led to Floyd's death.
"The actions seen in the video do not align with the training or values of the Springfield Police Department, nor with those of the policing profession as a whole, and I consider those actions egregious and inexcusable," Williams said in the letter.
The Springfield Police Department stands with the city's residents and respects their right to voice their concerns peacefully, according to Williams.
Meanwhile, a peaceful protest is planned for Saturday, May 30, in Springfield.
The Facebook event, Peaceful Protest for George Floyd! Say His Name, is set for 3 p.m. at the corner of Battlefield and Glenstone.