(See below for live updates throughout the night)
Several protests in Detroit and the surrounding areas continued for the ninth day Saturday following the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day in Minneapolis.
The march downtown began at 4 p.m. near Detroit Police Department headquarters and ended at 9:23 p.m.
Marches in Detroit resulted in 381 arrests through the first five days, with 127 on Tuesday due to breaking the 8 p.m. curfew, but protesters declared "victory" Wednesday when Detroit Police Chief James Craig said he would not enforce the curfew if protests are peaceful.
Since then there have been no arrests, though the demonstrations have gone past curfew. Detroit has not seen the property destruction and looting that other cities have experienced in Michigan and across the county.
Friday night's protest ended peacefully.
A Macomb County protest started at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Hall Road in Sterling Heights and ended around 6:30 p.m. at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township.
More: Hall Road protest in Macomb County started with 3 teen girls
Earlier this week in a neighboring community in Macomb, Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide was placed on paid administrative leave for tweets that endorsed police brutality. Shelide apologized Thursday in a statement.
Follow the Free Press coverage here:
More: Protests, marches continue across Michigan: Here's a list
More: 8th night of protests ends with birthday wish for Breonna Taylor
Detroit – 9:23 p.m.: Protest ends
The protest ended with a chant: "No justice, no peace, (expletive) these racist (expletive) police."
Another march is scheduled for Sunday, again beginning at Detroit Police Department headquarters.
Detroit – 9:00 p.m.: Demands given
Organizers listed roughly 25 demands that they want city officials to adopt, including visible badges for all police officers, greater funding for mental health, cash bail for nonviolent felonies and training for 9-1-1 operators to know when a situation doesn't need police presence.
They also want all charges to be dropped against protesters and pensions revoked from officers abusing their power.
The leaders are asking for sentences of nonviolent drug offenders to be nixed, as well as the expungement of all criminal records over 15 years old in nonviolent situations.
Those were just a few of the many demands.
Detroit – 8:43 p.m.: Curfew was made for 'criminalizing' us
Protesters are back at the Detroit Police Department, and they gathered together to discuss the curfew, Martin Luther King Jr. and police brutality.
The group took a moment of silence at 8:47 p.m.
One speaker told the crowd they "are not peaceful" but instead "civil" in their movement.
"They weren't protecting nobody when they were beating our (expletive)," the speaker said. "The curfew isn't about protecting people. It's about criminalizing."
Detroit – 8:28 p.m.: March turns on Michigan
Marchers turned off Griswold Street and onto Michigan Avenue.
The crowd is starting to diminish a bit but continues to wave signs and chat in unison. A few newcomers have come off the street to join the march.
"This is what democracy looks like," protesters said.
Detroit – 8:21 p.m.: March heads to Griswold
Protesters branched off East Jefferson Avenue and are now walking down Griswold Street toward the police department. When they turned the corner, people in cars stopped to chant.
The police escort has returned, but nobody is in riot gear.
Detroit – 8:19 p.m.: March returning to DPD
After a dance party on East Jefferson Avenue, protesters are marching back toward the Detroit Police Department.
Detroit – 8:10 p.m.: Organizers don't want violence
Organizers reminded people in attendance not to make a mess of the city. To this point, the march has been peaceful and without interference from the police.
Meanwhile, the dance party has started up again. Protesters admitted they were tired from walking so much and wanted to celebrate.
"I'm here to stand up for what's right," a protester named Marcus said. "I needed to take a stand and get out today. Yes, (the dance party) is wild, but we have to show them we won't stand down."
"I like the fact that it's promoting positive change," another protester, Stephanie, said about dancing downtown.
Detroit – 8:00 p.m.: Curfew begins
When citywide 8 p.m. curfew began, the music from the dance party silenced. A leader of the event gave protesters another chance to leave downtown.
He also reminded them of the reason they're marching.
"Let's remember that this is a protest," the leader said. "We are here because of dead black people. We are here because of police brutality. These things are very (expletive) serious."
Protesters then took a moment of silence at 8:02 p.m, followed by the crowd saying, "No justice; no peace."
Detroit – 7:49 p.m.: Dance party
East Jefferson Avenue is Detroit's dance floor for the night. Protesters staying past the 8 p.m. curfew are dancing and celebrating with each other.
For the time being, chanting and marching have been traded off for a mass dance party. Even the "Macarena" made a special appearance.
Detroit – 7:34 p.m.: Protesters gather at The Fist
Moving past the Renaissance Center, protesters gathered at The First, formally known as the Monument to Joe Louis.
Leaders of the march asked those who want to leave before 8 p.m. curfew to depart from the area. Many stayed to dance and listen to music.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, (expletive) 12," the protesters repeatedly chanted.
Detroit – 7:24 p.m.: March continues on Jefferson
Protesters are on East Jefferson Avenue at the St. Antoine intersection. They are nearing the GM Renaissance Center.
"Hey, hey, ho, ho," protestors chant. "These racist cops have got to go."
"Black lives matter" and "don't shoot" are other chants being used, along with the name of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville police officers.
Detroit – 7:05 p.m.: Residents thank protesters
As protesters continue to march down the streets of Detroit, several people have left their apartments to thank them.
"Thank you so much for everything you guys are doing," CeCe Stewart said. "I appreciate you guys. Black lives matter. Racism must stop."
Detroit – 7:03 p.m.: Detroit resident: 'Every police officer's not a bad person'
If 57-year-old Detroit resident Bob Johnson didn't have bad knees, he would be marching alongside the protesters.
Instead, he stood on the sidewalk and provided encouragement.
"They have a right to protest, as long as it's not violent, nobody's getting hurt and no property is destroyed," Johnson said. "That's what America is all about. That's what the country is built on.
"Every police officer's not a bad person, so the ones that are, they should get rid of. The ones doing a great job, keep them and get to know the community better and make the city a better place."
Johnson wants the marches to continue until they "accomplish what they need to accomplish." He specifically mentioned police brutality against minorities.
For those arrested last weekend and earlier this week, Johnson has a message.
"You're going to have some people that are going to be inconsiderate of what the cause is, but the main thing, just for the people doing the right thing, is to stay focused," he said. "Stay focused, do what they need to do.
"The ones doing the wrong, they've got to pay the consequences."
Detroit – 6:39 p.m.: March leaves Gratiot
Protesters have departed from Gratiot Avenue and are now at St. Aubin Street and Antietam Avenue.
A diabetic woman recently fell ill, but there were two medics nearby to help her within a matter of seconds.
The march began just over one hour ago.
Detroit – 6:24 p.m.: People shouldn't have to march amid COVID-19 but have no choice, protester says
Taylor Little, a 23-year-old from Detroit, doesn't think protesters should be on the streets in large groups due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn't stopped her.
As long as racism continues, she said, so will protests.
"I'm tired of what's going on in America as far as police brutality, and racism has been too long, for years, starting with slavery," Little added. "I'm tired of it, and I wish it would stop.
"I'm here to demand justice and protest for the black women and men who've lost their lives to senseless acts from the police and racists."
Detroit – 6:11 p.m.: March heads to Gratiot
Approximately 1,000 people have continued to Gratiot Avenue. They're taking up the entire street and sidewalk. The size of the crowd has grown to the point that bicyclists can't ride anymore.
One sign reads, "Who do you call when the police are murderers?"
Protesters continue chanting, "Hands up; don't shoot."
Macomb – 6:10 p.m.: Protesters leave
Buses were provided for protesters to catch a ride back to Lakeside Mall, where the march began in Sterling Heights. Others are walking back down Hall Road.
Macomb – 5:55 p.m.: 'Educate and infiltrate'
Macomb Township resident Terrance Hinton attended his first protest, marching with the crowd on Hall Road from Sterling Heights to Clinton Township.
Why did the 23-year-old attend?
"Just want to spread the message. All lives don't matter until black lives do. It's more than just protesting black lives matter. I want to educate and infiltrate the system so we don't have to be out here anymore."
Detroit – 5:55 p.m.: March heads to Monroe
After blocking the Campus Martius Park roundabout, protesters are moving up Monroe Street.
Detroit resident Dietrich Jones is leading the way and said they are headed toward the Monument to Joe Louis, also known as The Fist.
"We don't have a particular route," he said. "We're just going to end up on Jefferson, so we're just pushing them along."
Macomb – 5:53 p.m.: Moment of silence
On one knee with fists held above their heads, protesters took a moment of silence. While the march has been complete for nearly an hour, people stuck around.
Macomb – 5:44 p.m.: Peaceful protest led by three teenagers
Hundreds of people gathered for a march down Hall Road, from Sterling Heights to Clinton Township. The creators of the protest: three teenagers.
Detroit – 5:36 p.m.: March begins
The march in Detroit is underway, led by two protesters holding a sign: "Justice for George Floyd! Jail all the killer cops! Spread the firey spirit of Minneapolis!"
Others are using expletives.
Multiple police cars are leading the protesters.
Detroit – 5:30 p.m.: Biggest crowd yet?
People continue to join the protest. One person said it's the largest crowd she's seen. The marches in Detroit first took place last Friday.
Music is blaring, and the march is about to begin.
Once it started, the crowd stretched several blocks with four different sections of people chanting.
Detroit – 5:26 p.m.: Speaker doesn't think Detroit deserved curfew
Detroit Police instituted an 8 p.m. curfew, and that wasn't to the liking of Detroit resident Leon King.
"I had some choice words for those cops," King, 44, said. "I felt that you gave us a curfew because they tore Minnesota, LA, Chicago and other places up. You don't give us a curfew because they're tearing other places."
Macomb – 5:23 p.m.: Kneeling, prayer, peace
The protest on Hall Road is about to conclude, and to cap off the evening, members of the march took a knee before closing the peaceful protest in prayer.
"This is for George Floyd and all of the my brothers and sisters all over who have been given injustice," a speaker said. "Let's take a knee."
Macomb – 5:17 p.m.: Speaker: 'Not just for your Instagram'
Now that the Hall Road protest has come to a halt, speakers are preaching to the crowd.
"This is not something just for your Instagram or for your Twitter," one of the leaders yelled, to which the crowd responded in cheers. "This is a movement."
Detroit – 5:09 p.m.: Crowd grows, about 500 total
Protesters are blocking a portion of Michigan Avenue. The number of attendees has grown to approximately 500 people.
Macomb – 5:08 p.m.: Protest nearing end
The crowd is approaching Macomb Community College, where the march will end. Leaders are expected to speak once it concludes.
Along with police cars in the middle the street, between those marching, there's a police presence watching down from a hill roadside.
Detroit – 5:05 p.m.: Wallace calls for national day of action
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the death of George Floyd, is set to appear in court Monday for a hearing.
Nakai-Renne Wallace, one of the protest organizers, is calling for a national day of action. She added the crowd will also return Sunday to march.
Detroit – 5:00 p.m.: Leader forming structure for demands
Protest organizer Nakai-Renne Wallace told the crowd she's "in process of forming a structure" and wants to set up a meeting with city officials to give clear demands.
She added that the movement determines what justice actually looks like once the marches are complete.
Macomb – 4:52 p.m.: Police surrounding marchers
The police presence on Hall Road has been aplenty. With hundreds of protesters walking, police have the front, back and left side of the road covered.
Leaders of the rally are complaining the police cars in the front are moving too slow.
Detroit – 4:51 p.m.: Police have been 'tricked,' speaker says
Speaker Eriq Carey, a 24-year-old from Farmington Hills has class struggles at the forefront of his mindset entering the protest.
"America is not only the home of the oppressed, it’s also the home of the oppressor," he said. "Law enforcement, they are working-class just like us. They have been tricked into suppressing our movement because they think it’s in their best interest.”
Macomb – 4:44 p.m.: Protest comes to standstill
It's unclear as to why, but the protesters on Hall Road came to a stop, but that didn't bother the crowd.
Instead, it allowed for more speeches to be given by leaders of the march.
Detroit – 4:37 p.m.: Organizer wants Trump to resign
Speaking to protesters before the march, one organizer is advocating for President Donald Trump to resign from office.
Macomb – 4:24 p.m.: Drones, choppers above protesters
Just a few minutes into the protest, it became noticeable that drones and helicopters were in the air following the march.
Detroit – 4:23 p.m.: Nakia-Renne Wallace speaks
Organizer Nakia-Renne Wallace is downtown to lead the protest in Detroit. She plans to leave early and added fellow organizer Tristan Taylor won't be present.
There are a couple of hundred protester and medics on the scene.
Macomb – 4:19 p.m.: March on Hall Road begins
The crowd of protesters began to build near Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights just before 4 p.m. Cars driving by were honking, while those planning to march cheered.
Organizers stood with Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham to deliver a speech before the group began walking peacefully.
Plenty of signs were brought by protesters, one of which read, "We see you! We hear you! You matter!"
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.
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