Hundreds of Mercer Island community members met up Friday (June 12) to protest the police killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans.

A march started at Islander Middle School at around noon and ended at Mercerdale Park at around 2:30 p.m., where a speaking event assisted by the Seattle Unity and Peace Team took place. The Island’s march, which was organized by a group of Mercer Island high schoolers, came about after Black Lives Matter Seattle King-County called for a statewide day of action June 12.

The walk was about three and a half miles, with a break at the intersection of Island Crest Way and Southeast 40th Street. There, protestors kneeled in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time white Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck.

Following the march, organizers submitted a list of demands to Superintendent Donna Colosky and Mayor Benson Wong, which can be read here.

The march began at around noon at Islander Middle School. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Signs abounded at the march. Staff photo/Blake Peterson

Rainy weather didn’t deter protestors from marching Friday. Blake Peterson/staff photo

A smaller group at the march. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Mercer Island police infrequently appeared during the march. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Youths made up a huge portion of the protestors Friday. Blake Peterson/staff photo

A police officer standing by as a family looks on. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Some protest signage was especially creative. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Though not all community members joined in the march, many neighbors stood near their houses to show their support of the protest. Blake Peterson/staff photo

Protestors at the intersection of Island Crest Way and Southeast 40th Street. Blake Peterson/staff photo