Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Chapel Hill for the second straight day of events advocating for racial equity and protesting systemic racism.

The Rally for Justice event, sponsored by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chapter of the NAACP, drew in many protesters for a march from First Baptist Church on North Roberson Street in Chapel Hill to the Peace and Justice Plaza on East Franklin Street.

During the march, protesters knelt in West Franklin Street for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time Minneapolis Police officers knelt on the neck of George Floyd. Floyd died as a result of mechanical asphyxia, or being choked.

The event later gathered on East Franklin Street for speakers to share various messages about supporting African Americans and speaking out against racial injustices.

The Rally for Justice is the second event in Chapel Hill in two days, following a rally and march led by UNC black student groups on Friday. An additional march in Hillsborough was also held on Friday.

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