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#TylerProtests: Demonstration moves to Broadway Square Mall

For the past five days, protests have been held at the Square in Downtown. Now, the protests are at Broadway Square Mall to reach more people.

TYLER, Texas — Protesters in Tyler moved from the Square in downtown to the perimeter around Broadway Square Mall for the first time Thursday.

At its peak, there were more than 200 protesters spread out around the area.

It is the first time an organized protest in Tyler have taken place outside of downtown. Organizers say the reason for the move is they felt their message was not reaching enough people.

By moving to a higher traffic area, the protesters say they will be able to reach more people.

In a flyer on social media, organizers instructed the protesters not to block people walking on the sidewalks.

As of 6:40 p.m., only a handful of protesters were on the scene. However, the group swelled to well over 100 shortly after 7 p.m.

The crowd chanted while holding signs along South Broadway. There is also a refreshment table for protesters to get water if they need.

Protesters are expected to spread out to be seen by more cars.

More than 100 protesters are gathered outside the Broadway Square Mall for the sixth day of #TylerProtests.

Posted by KYTX CBS19 on Thursday, June 4, 2020

Other protesters have moved south on Broadway as far as Rice Road and Shiloh. 

So far there no traffic issues caused by the protests.

During the demonstration, a car stopped perpendicular on the southbound lanes of Broadway Avenue in support of the protesters. The vehicle did not cause a major traffic disruption and moved shortly after.

At about 8:46 p.m., the protesters dropped to one knee and knelt for a period of eight minutes and 46 seconds, referring to the amount of time Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd's neck.

At about 9:15 p.m., the crowd, which had reduced to just more than 100 people, began to congregate in front of the mall again.

As in past protests, several cars passed by the chanting crowd, honking their support. 

The chants include: "Black Lives Matter," No Justice, No Peace," "George Floyd," and "Breonna Taylor."

HAPPENING NOW: More than 100 Tyler protesters continue to chant and hold up signs against racial discrimination and police brutality against the black community.

Posted by KYTX CBS19 on Thursday, June 4, 2020

Protesters are urged to keep the peace at all costs. There are Constables on the scene to help keep the peace.

Thursday's protest at the mall marked possibly the largest crowd at any protest in this week in Tyler, though there are no official numbers.

The protest ended at about 10 p.m. without any incident of traffic problems or violence.

Organizers say the protests will continue for the foreseeable future. Those protests will be in different locations, including back at Square and Broadway Square Mall.

There is another large protest in Kilgore, the first organized event in that city. Police Chief Todd Hunter addressed the crowd. He said he supported people's voices being heard and encouraged people to involve themselves in organizations to help continue a dialogue. 

During a Q&A station, many in the crowd asked about the training of officers in the department. Many said there needs to be more accountability for police.

Peaceful protest at KPD, Chief Hunter addresses group.

Posted by Kilgore News Herald on Thursday, June 4, 2020

Over the past five days, hundreds of people descended on downtown Tyler to protest racial injustice and police brutality in America. 

This story will be updated throughout the night.

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