Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

Hundreds of people turned out for a protest in Jackson Saturday that by some estimates will likely be one of the largest in state history.

Hundreds of people showed up for a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Jackson on Saturday, and Mississippi Today will provide regular updates throughout the day.

The Black Lives Matter Mississippi protest began at the Governor’s Mansion on Saturday at 3 p.m. The crowd, which would grow into one of the largest protests in the state’s history, began at the mansion before moving a few blocks north to the Mississippi State Capitol. The protesters were scheduled to return back to the mansion.

The protest — like others across the country — comes in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Millions of Americans are protesting police brutality and inequities in the criminal justice system.

The organizers of the Jackson event released a list of demands this week that include removing Confederate symbols and memorabilia, reopening the Ricky Ball case, decreasing the state’s prison population, and centering public health in decisions involving schools returning in the fall because of the coronavirus. The full list can be viewed here.

Mississippi Today will update this post throughout the day. Follow Editor-in-Chief Adam Ganucheau, Deputy Managing Editor Kayleigh Skinner, and photojournalist Eric Shelton, who will be on the ground during the protest.

The Mississippi state trooper K-9 unit searches downtown Jackson in preparation of the Black Lives Matter protest Saturday, June 6, 2020. @MSTODAYnews pic.twitter.com/Ii50b1Wizh

— Eric J. Shelton (@EricJShelton) June 6, 2020

The Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Jackson starts at 3 pm in front of the governor’s mansion. Organizers have said they expect at least 300-500 people, there’s a decent crowd here already. pic.twitter.com/sLdVUTjuAP

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

Protesters prepare for the #BlackLivesMattters protest in downtown Jackson, Miss. @MSTODAYnews pic.twitter.com/dgXJX3MeXZ

— Eric J. Shelton (@EricJShelton) June 6, 2020

Early scenes of the #BlackLivesMatter protest in downtown Jackson. Saturday, June 6, 2020. @MSTODAYnews pic.twitter.com/lBl8pz19S2

— Eric J. Shelton (@EricJShelton) June 6, 2020

Starting to get crowded pic.twitter.com/rAcWMncF1w

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

About to start, the streets are packed. Not a great estimator but I would say there are definitely 300-500 people here. pic.twitter.com/u0osSBX7fq

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

Starting by chanting “no justice, no peace.”@jarriusadams shares protocols with the crowd, and now everyone is singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” pic.twitter.com/zKs5USAJBO

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

Here’s a crowd shot from both sides of the block. I’m not going to try to guess a number, but wayyy more than the 500 that organizers predicted. pic.twitter.com/PwKIGCMCal

— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) June 6, 2020

“When Mississippi moves, America moves,” a speaker just said from the stage. The crowd went wild.

“Black lives matter!” chant then broke out. pic.twitter.com/ovbU0HSxN4

— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) June 6, 2020

Maisie Brown speaks during the #BlackLivesMatter protest in Jackson @MSTODAYnews pic.twitter.com/XD2ntFELqo

— Eric J. Shelton (@EricJShelton) June 6, 2020

Protesters have begun marching toward the Mississippi State Capitol. There are at least 2,000 people here. I’ve never seen a protest this large in Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/PNEMrFqdWT

— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) June 6, 2020

Marched by the Capitol and now headed back toward Governor’s Mansion. pic.twitter.com/3k0CTznL7u

— Adam Ganucheau (@GanucheauAdam) June 6, 2020

The crowd is in a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time George Floyd was on the ground with a police officer’s knee on his neck. pic.twitter.com/w1LHp4aR0W

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

Now the organizers are outlining their list of demands and calls to action: pic.twitter.com/DMPcRP6Tkp

— Kayleigh Skinner (@KayAnneSkinner) June 6, 2020

Protesters dance to the music after the peaceful #BlackLivesMattters protest in Jackson pic.twitter.com/yQCx39pklQ

— Eric J. Shelton (@EricJShelton) June 6, 2020

The post Live updates: Black Lives Matter protest in Jackson appeared first on Mississippi Today.