While many of the protests across the country in response to the death of George Floyd have turned into violent and destructive riots, there has been little violence in the protests that have taken place so far in the Hudson Valley.

In Yonkers, about 1,000 people took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. That officer is now charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The protest began Sunday afternoon at city hall, and then the crowd took to the streets chanting and holding signs.

At one point, a group broke off and walked onto the Saw Mill River Parkway near the exit for the Cross County Parkway. Traffic in both the northbound and southbound lanes was temporarily shut down as police tried to get the protesters off the roadway.

There were also some frightening moments at the Stop & Shop grocery store at the Cross County Shopping Center as customers were told to leave after concerns that protesters were on the way, with possible plans to loot the store, but that never happened.

Some city officials took part in the protest, encouraging a peaceful march. "You have every right to be angry, and frustrated and every right to be heard. That's what today's about, making sure that you are heard," said Mayor Mike Spano.   

No injuries or damage was reported after the march.