For the last two months, communities throughout San Luis Obispo County have seen various anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd on May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
SLO County’s first march occurred on May 30 in San Luis Obispo, followed by other protests in Paso Robles, Nipomo, Morro Bay, Atascadero and elsewhere.
On June 1, San Luis Obispo police and marchers were unable to disengage during a standoff near the police station and teargas was fired.
Three days later, on June 4, the county saw its largest outpouring for support for the Black Lives Matter movement when an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people filled the streets of San Luis Obispo.
Various individuals and organizations have been involved in the protests, and most have been peaceful.
But at least two resulted in arrests and shutting down Highway 101, including on July 21 when organizer Tianna Arata and another demonstrator were taken into custody on a variety of charges.
The public protests have yielded many memorable moments and images. Here is a look back at the last two months in pictures.
First march in SLO on May 30
Five days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a small number of marchers walked in San Luis Obispo on May 30, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
RACE Matters SLO leads rally on May 31
RACE Matters SLO County held a rally in San Luis Obispo to protest violence against people of color in America in response to the death of a Black man, George Floyd, while in police custody in Minneapolis. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Protesters begin to march from Mitchell Park en route to downtown San Luis Obispo on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell listens to speakers at a Black Lives Matter rally in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
A large crowd listens to speakers at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo police officers on motorcycles and bicycles watch the Black Lives Matter marchers travel up Marsh Street in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
The Black Lives Matters marchers travel east on Marsh Street as San Luis Obispo police officers assist with traffic control on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
June 1 rally in SLO ends with tear gas
Isabella Nino de Rivera writes “Say their names” in chalk at Mission San Luis Obispo, memorializing recent deaths of Black individuals during police actions. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Chris Limon, owner of a men’s clothing boutique Passport on Monterey Street, signals solidarity with marchers during the June 1, 2020, protest that drew more than 3,000 people downtown. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo police officers and SLO County sheriff’s deputies form a line of protection in front of the San Luis Obispo police station on Walnut Street on June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo police officers cordon off the street from seated protesters next to the San Luis Obispo police station on Walnut Street on June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Officers from CMC and the San Luis Obispo Police Department took a knee as protesters held an 8-minute moment of silence on June 1. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Traffic was stopped on Santa Rosa Street as marchers crossed the bridge over Highway 101 on June 1. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Black Lives Matter protesters march on Highway 101, stopping traffic on June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Black Lives Matter protesters march on Highway 101 at Santa Rosa Street on June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
A Black Lives Matter protester is taken into custody near the San Luis Obispo police station on June 1. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Black Lives Matter protesters retreat as tear gas is fired near the police station in San Luis Obispo on June 1, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A tear gas canister lies on Santa Rosa Street. More than 100d San Luis Obispo police officers, sheriff’s deputies and officers from other agencies guarded the streets around the police station after protesters were finally dispersed about 8 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Protesters run south on Santa Rosa Street in San Luis Obispo after police deployed multiple rounds of tear gas and firecrackers to disperse the crowd on June 1, 2020. Cassandra Garibay cgaribay@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo police officers, sheriff’s deputies and officers stand guard at the Santa Rosa Street and Walnut Street intersection next to the police station, on Monday, June 1, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
The next day, 100 protesters marched in Paso Robles
About 100 protesters marched in Paso Robles during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 2, 2020. Here, they face Paso Robles police, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot.” David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A Black Lives Matter protest in Paso Robles marches past the Acorn Building on 12th Street on June 2. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A man with a shirt that said on the back “The Second Amendment ... America’s Original Homeland Security“ got into a shouting match with the marchers seated in intersection of 12th and Pine during the protest in Paso Robles on June 2. A Paso Robles police officer convinced him to move on. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
June 3 march in San Luis Obispo
A Black Lives Matter protest started in front of the San Luis Obispo City Hall on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Cal Poly student Jalen Hamler helps lead a Black Lives Matter protest march in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Ailine Cullen offers to spray protesters as they walk by on a hot day during a Black Lives Matter protest march in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, June 3. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Workers board up the windows at Habitat on Marsh Street on Wednesday June 3, 2020, as Black Lives Matter marches continued in San Luis Obispo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Protesters sit and listen to speeches in the intersection of Chorro and Marsh Street during a protest in San Luis Obispo on June 3, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Thousands turn out for massive march on June 4
A drone photo shows thousands of people filling the streets for a Black Lives Matter protest in San Luis Obispo on June 4, 2020. Marco Bruschi
A drone shot shows the San Luis Obispo Black Lives Matter protest on June 4, 2020, from above Monterey Street. Marco Bruschi
Cheryl Vines from the NAACP dances with the crowd at courthouse during a June 4 rally in San Luis Obispo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The NAACP sponsored an Action Rally at the courthouse on June 4. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Police chiefs Deanna Cantrell of San Luis Obispo and Ty Lewis of Paso Robles marched with the group in San Luis Obispo on June 4. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
The June 4 rally was followed by a march, here traveling up Marsh Street in San Luis Obispo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Guns on rooftops in Arroyo Grande
Protesters march in the intersection of Oak Park Boulevard and Grand Avenue in Arroyo Grande during a demonstration on June 5. Kaytlyn Leslie kleslie@thetribunenews.com
The Pit Martial Arts and Fitness gym in Arroyo Grande had armed men on its rooftop while a Black Lives Matter protest and march happened nearby on June 5, 2020. This is from an Instagram post.
Motorcyclists, including at least one man wearing a Gold Coast Wheelers vest, stand outside Jocko’s Steakhouse in Nipomo during an anti-racism protest. Stephanie Finucane sfinucane@thetribunenews.com
Protesters march around Morro Bay on June 6
Marchers walked in Morro Bay on Saturday, June 6, to support the Black Lives Matter movement and protest police brutality. Danna Dykstra Coy
Protest comes to Atascadero on June 7
About 200 protesters marched in Atascadero on Sunday. Josh Tarica
Business show support in SLO
Several businesses boarded up in downtown San Luis Obispo in early June. After one day of blank paper in the windows of Blackwater on Higuera Street, owners Erica Hamilton and her mother, Maryalice Hamilton, decided they needed to make a statement of support, listing names of victims of violence. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Candlelight vigil in SLO on June 20
On June 20, Joshua Powell of New York spoke to San Luis Obispo County residents gathered at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo for a candlelight vigil honoring people killed by police amid weeks of demonstrations. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Native Americans attended a vigil at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo, to honor people killed by police amid weeks of national and local demonstrations. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Sheriff speaks to North County Tea Party on July 6
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson speaks at a July 6, 2020, meeting of the North San Luis Obispo County Tea Party. His comments to the group saying he didn’t think systemic racism existed in SLO County helped reenergized the local protest movement.
July 21 march in SLO ends in arrests
Melissa Elizalde, left, and Tianna Arata lead a chant at Mitchell Park on July 21. The “No Justice No Peace” protest began at Mitchell Park and moved to the streets of San Luis Obispo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Organizer Tianna Arata carries an upside-down American flag during a “No Justice No Peace” protest in San Luis Obispo on July 21. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Protesters gather at Mitchell Park for a “No Justice No Peace” rally and march on July 21, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Tianna Arata leads marchers down Chorro Street during the July 21 protest in San Luis Obispo. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Protesters took their march to Highway 101, blocking traffic for nearly an hour on July 21, 2020. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Marchers move past Highway Patrol cars blocking traffic on Highway 101. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Marchers move between blocked semi trucks on Highway 101 on July 21. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Tianna Arata speaks to protesters blocking traffic on Highway 101. No Justice No Peace protest began at Mitchell Park and blocked traffic on Highway 101 for about 40 minutes in both directions. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A screenshot of a drone video provided by the San Luis Obispo Police Department shows a confrontation between protesters and a gray car at the corner of Chorro and Pacific streets during the July 21 march. The driver pushed through the protesters because he was fearful of the “mob mentality,” police said. San Luis Obispo Police Department
A protester smashed the window of a gray sedan with a skateboard after it pushed through the crowd while demonstrators were blocking Highway 101 on Tuesday. Police later said a 4-year-old boy was in the back seat at the time.
Silent march in SLO on July 25
A group of marchers move down Monterey Street with the traffic light during a silent protest on July 25. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Protesters lined up along businesses surrounding Giuseppe’s and Finney’s outdoor dining parklets during the silent protest on July 25. Protesters are remaining quiet and stayed out of the doorways of businesses. Cassandra Garibay cgaribay@thetribunenews.com
Protesters rest on the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse lawn while listening to speakers after the silent sit-in on July 25. Cassandra Garibay cgaribay@thetribunenews.com
David Middlecamp is a photojournalist and third-generation Cal Poly graduate who has covered the Central Coast region since the 1980s. A career that began developing and printing black-and-white film now includes an FAA-certified drone pilot license. He also writes the history column “Photos from the Vault.”
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