NMSU players, coach among hundreds who peacefully protest George Floyd’s death in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Hundreds of Las Cruces protesters held signs and chanted on Monday evening, joining demonstrations across the U.S. over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man killed in the custody of Minneapolis police.

"For justice, for peace, that's all we're ever here for," said Dajour Joseph, who plays on New Mexico State University's basketball team. "People are here just for peace. We're tired. We don't wanna loot, we don't wanna riot, that's not the answer, we just want change."

"I can't breathe until the system changes," said Waithera Kinuthia, an NMSU professor originally from Kenya. She donned a mask that read 'I can't breathe' and held a sign that read, 'Get off my neck.'

After watching the death of Floyd on video, Kinuthia told ABC-7 she was heartbroken.

"We still look at black people as three-fourths of a person," she said.

The peaceful protest included college students, families and children, and local politicians.

"Coming together, we can make a change," said Jabari Rice, another NMSU basketball player. "Not only African Americans, but everybody else that's been wrongly treated, not only by cops, but just the system period."

The players mourned the life of Floyd along with their coach, Chris Jans.

The community demonstration took place along Main Street and Picacho. Car horns could be heard honking in support periodically as residents drove by the busy area during the evening commute.