Update 5:20 p.m.:
The protest ended peacefully at approximately 5:15 p.m. after taking a moment of silence.
RACE Matters SLO facilitated a meeting between organizers and representatives from the City of San Luis Obispo Police Department and Cal Poly before the protest to discuss goals for the event and how to protect the safety of protesters and the community, according to a news release.
An additional protest is planned for tomorrow.
Update 5:13 p.m.:
The protest is on Santa Rosa and Foothill. Protestors are kneeling in a moment of silence.
Update 5:00 p.m.:
As several students were present at the protest, the Office of the Provost sent a campus-wide email addressing recent events.
“Once again, our Black students, faculty and staff, along with Black individuals in our community around the country, are faced with the trauma of violence being perpetuated against them,” the email read.
Update 4:50 p.m.:
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell notified community members to consider avoiding the area as protestors continued marching on Santa Rosa.
4:30pm The peaceful protest march is on Santa Rosa nearing Mill. There will be traffic delays, please consider avoiding the area.
— San Luis Obispo Police Department (@SLOCityPolice) June 3, 2020
Update 4:45 p.m.:
Protestors were nearly hit by a woman who tried to reverse her car into the group, according to protestor and civil engineering freshman Xavier Moore. No one was hurt.
Update: 4:30 p.m.:
Protestors sat at the corner of Marsh and Chorro to hear ethnic studies senior Leilani Hemmings-Pallay speak. She called on people to think about how individuals are not only oppressed because of race but also their sexuality as well.
“There are plenty of people that have died irregardless of how many identities they have,” Hemmings-Pallay said.
Protestors then continued marching down Marsh chanting, “Black lives matter.”
Update 4:02 p.m.:
Dean of Students Kathleen McMahon said that protest leaders met with Cal Poly Police Chief of Police George Hughes prior to the start of the protest. A protestor that spoke at City Hall earlier had read a statement on behalf of Cal Poly football student-athletes.
After making their way towards Meadow Park to take a break, protestors walked back through Marsh and Broad.
Habitat Home & Garden on Marsh Street was found being boarded up. Several other businesses were boarded up earlier today.
Update 3:30 p.m.:
Protestors sat for a moment of silence on Higuera and Broad.
Seven sheriff cars arrived at the scene and began setting up police cars by the freeway entrance.
Organizers said that the protestors will not go on Highway 101 today. The officers formed a line and protestors walked past them chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, these racist cops have got to go.”
Update 3:00 p.m.:
A group of about 300 protestors have gathered at City Hall to call for constant police body cameras, bachelor’s education for Cal Poly police, mandatory bias training and more.
The group of protestors marched down Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo.
This is a developing story and it will be updated as more information becomes available.