(LaPorte, IN) - A demonstration over the death of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis is scheduled Friday in downtown LaPorte.

 

Protesters at 4 p.m. will march up and down the U.S 35 overpass on the sidewalk of the four-lane bridge then head east along Lincolnway, said Austen Wood, 20, of LaPorte.

 

Wood, the organizer of the event, said walkers after reaching LaPorte Hospital will head back toward the courthouse to complete the demonstration at 6 p.m.

 

He met Thursday with mayor Tom Dermody who said he supports protesting but won’t tolerate behavior spiraling out of control.

 

“We want to work with them and make sure whatever happens is going to be peaceful,” Dermody said.  Wood said police will be contacted to escort anyone going to extremes away from the demonstration. Estimated anywhere from 50 to more than 200 people could turn out. “There might be some people that we know personally who come from a few other towns but for the most part it’s going to be people directly from LaPorte,” Wood said.