Storefronts throughout the Americana shopping center in Manhasset have been boarded up following protests, looting and rioting around the nation in the wake of the death of a Minnesota man in police custody.
The doors and windows of stores in the Americana have been covered with wood, much like others in Nassau County.
Efforts to reach representatives from the Americana for comment were unavailing.
Protests featuring peaceful walks or displays of solidarity as well as looting and rioting have occurred throughout the nation after George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, was arrested and died in police custody in Minnesota.
Floyd was arrested on May 25 by Minneapolis police officers after a deli employee contacted authorities, accusing him of buying cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill, according to news reports.
A viral video showed Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin holding his knee on Floyd’s neck. A criminal complaint from the Hennepin County attorney’s office said, “The defendant had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.”
Chauvin, who is white, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday, according to news reports. He was one of four officers fired from the Police Department due to the incident.
The complaint said three factors contributed to Floyd’s death, “The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.”
A peaceful protest occurred in front of Nassau County’s Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola on Monday evening. According to Newsday, more than 2,500 people came together to combat “institutionalized racism” throughout the country.
“I was horrified after watching the video of the death of George Floyd, and hearing his cries. I believe charges must be brought to ensure the accountability and justice all should expect in our nation,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. “This cruel act does not represent the vast majority of police officers who with professionalism and honor serve and protect our communities. Nassau is committed to community policing because it works. Building trust works, and we always strive to do better. We’ll continue to build bridges between law enforcement and the communities we serve, and use this tragic moment to renew and strengthen engagement and understanding.”
