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Message of unity and change in honor of George Floyd
60,000 people gathered in downtown Houston to honor George Floyd and discuss ways to bring change and unity in the U.S.
HOUSTON - Around 60,000 people gathered in downtown Houston alongside George Floyd's family to take part in a historic march to honor Floyd.
The march happened after a weekend of protests around the country and world, where people are outraged by the Houston-native's death after a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes.
RELATED: ‘We’re sick of it’: Anger over police killings shatters US as rage manifests in protests
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Houston setting the tone for the rest of America
Matthew Seedorff reporting live from downtown Houston as protesters return to Discovery Green after marching to city hall.
Houston rappers Bun B and Trae Tha Truth helped organize Tuesday afternoon's event, which started at 3 p.m. at Discovery Green.
Thousands of people showed up at the park, and before they marched toward Houston's City Hall, Bun B told the crowd that the protest would remain peaceful and people should stop anyone who tries to cause trouble.
There was a moment of silence in Floyd's honor, and Houston police officers, including Police Chief Art Acevedo, kneeled down with the crowd.
People then marched through the streets of downtown to City Hall, chanting "No Justice, No Peace," repeating the name of George Floyd, and three of Floyd's last words, "I can't breathe."
Among those marching were 16 members of George Floyd's family.
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The Floyd family speaks in downtown Houston
The family of George Floyd speaks to thousands gathered near the steps of city hall in downtown Houston.
Also in the crowds were Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen, Houston Texans current and former players Deshaun Watson, Jacob Martin, Peter Kalambayi, and Andre Johnson.
Several speakers took the podium on the steps at City Hall from Bun B and Trae to City Mayor Sylvester Turner, and Black Lives Matter activist Tamika Mallory to Rev. William Lawson, founder of Wheeler Ave Baptist Church and longtime civil rights leader.
WATCH: Activist Tamika Mallory speaking in Houston at George Floyd march.
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Tamika Mallory speaking in Houston at George Floyd march
WATCH: Rev. William Lawson, founder of Wheeler Ave Baptist Church, addresses the massive crowd from the steps of City Hall.
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Rev.William Lawson Wheeler Ave Baptist Church
The march was peaceful, but there were some tense moments between protesters and police following the demonstration.
During a brief standoff with police, one protester tried to promote peace between the two groups.
“We came out here to honor and respect George Floyd,” activist Justin James Jones told fellow protesters through a megaphone. “We have made history worldwide. We will not mess that up. We want y'all to continue walking down to your cars.”
We interviewed Jones, after the situation became less tense. “We will not let any violence happen,” said Jones. “You can bust up some windows, you can bust up this store. Are you going to tell George Floyd’s family, hey, I got some new shoes? They won’t get any condolences from that.”
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Tense moments between officers and protesters
There were some confrontations between officers and protesters following the historic march in Houston for George Floyd.
Although there were some tense moments between protesters and police, Tuesday’s demonstration in Houston was mostly peaceful.
“I’d like to make it a positive, beautiful day for him,” said Trae. “That’s my thought process.”
“This is a salute to George, and an acknowledgment that he shouldn’t have died the way he did,” said Mayor Turner.
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Mayor Sylvester Turner
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks at the George Floyd march in downtown.
RELATED: George Floyd's funeral to be held in Houston on June 9
MORE: Family-ordered autopsy: George Floyd died of asphyxia due to sustained pressure