Floyd death protest staged in Seneca

City Hall closed early, so did some businesses in anticipation of a rally in Seneca to protest the death of George Floyd.  The police say the near three-hour protest finished without the kinds of incidents that have taken place in larger cities.  At one point, as many as about 50 people gathered in front of City Hall with signs facing the passing traffic on N. 1st Streets.  The words “Black Lives Matter” were featured in many of the homemade signs.  And there were many words to reporters from protesters that open dialogues are needed to reverse a trend in deaths that occur at the hands of police dealing with unarmed suspects.  One such sentiment was delivered by Betty Jo Smith, a white woman and mother of a mixed family of children.  Unless there is change in relations between police and African-Americans, she’s worried for how her black children will be treated if they some day are approached by police.  The protest was made difficult by a hot late afternoon sun, but a kind gesture by Oconee sheriff’s officers eased those conditions.  The county officers handed out bottles of water to the protesters.  Earlier their boss, Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, issued a statement deploring what happened to Floyd and vowed that if any of his officers mistreat suspects, they will be prosecuted.