Myrtle Beach protest live updates: Police officers join some protesters, engage others

People in Myrtle Beach have been outside near the Myrtle Beach Police Department and City Hall all day Sunday in protest of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Here’s a rundown of what’s happened Sunday:

8:30 p.m.

Most Myrtle Beach buildings and facilities will open at 10 a.m. on Monday instead of at its usual opening time, City Spokesperson Mark Kruea said. Those buildings include City Hall, Ted Collins Law Enforcement Center, City Services Building, Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, Chapin Memorial Library, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach Sports Center, Ned Donkle Field Complex

7:30 p.m.

Despite some pedestrians strolling along Ocean Boulevard, the tourist stretch was essentially cleared out and closed down with Myrtle Beach’s curfew in effect. Police officers were also stationed along the Boulevard and the boardwalk, both informing tourists of the city’s curfew and patrolling.

6:45 p.m.

“F*** the police” and “Hell no we won’t go” the crowd chanted as the police pushed them back. At one point someone threw what sounded like a firecracker at officers. SWAT members then sprinted into the crowd causing a frantic scene with people fleeing in every direction.

Officers arrested more than a dozen people and took them to a Horry County Sheriff’s transportation van so they could be taken to jail.

6:15 p.m.

Myrtle Beach police on Ocean Boulevard telling pedestrians to get off the streets as curfew goes into effect. Some closed businesses boarded up ahead of the curfew. The boulevard is still busy, but has significantly emptied compared to an hour ago.

5:50 p.m.

At least two of the several people detained by Myrtle Beach police have been released. The crowd cheered at their release and a couple showed they were issued citations.

5:45 p.m.

What started as a small group quickly grew to dozens who gathered to pray in the middle of Oak Street near the Myrtle Beach Police Station.

5:30 p.m.

Most businesses on or around Ocean Boulevard between 9th and 14th Avenues North had closed ahead of the 6 p.m. city curfew, but the boulevard still bustled with people and traffic.

5 p.m.

Protest leaders have been in discussions with police over what it will take to get demonstrators who’ve been detained released. Those leaders have relayed information to the crowd several times and are attempting to get the masses to comply in order to make that happen.

4:15 p.m.

A large protest broke out at Myrtle Beach police department with a crowd holding signs blocking the vehicle entrance to the department. The peace ended when police, who gave several warnings to leave, advanced on the crowd. It appeared some of the crowd started to fight back and officer took several people to the ground.

SWAT and officers in riot gear took several people into custody as the crowd moved to an area across the street.

Mr. Joe White Avenue is closed near the police station.

3:30 p.m.

Myrtle Beach police officers, including Chief Amy Prock, joined protesters who set up shop in front of the station in marching the demonstration back down to Plyler Park on Ocean Boulevard.

There, Prock took questions from some of the most vocal protesters, telling them that “being part, that is important.”

“Accountability is important for everybody,” Prock told the demonstrators.

Demonstrators appeared to be pleased with the police’s response, including the fact they offered to join the march.

Officers later left, leaving behind a small, peaceful group at Plyler Park.

This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 4:32 PM.